England fast bowler Jofra Archer has defended the England Cricket Board against the accusation that they have ‘forgotten about Black Lives Matter’ levelled by Michael Holding.
The former West Indies fast bowler expressed disappointment in the powers that be of English cricket for failing to continue gestures of solidarity with the BLM movement throughout the course of their home season.
Holding criticism unfair
England and the West Indies, took a knee ahead of each of their three Test match meetings but that was not repeated in the ODI series against Ireland or matches against Pakistan and Australia.
Archer feels that Holding doesn’t know enough about what goes on behind the scenes in England cricket to level such criticism.
“I’m pretty sure Michael Holding doesn’t know anything that is going on behind the scenes,” Archer said.
“I don’t think he has spoken to (chief executive) Tom Harrison. I think that is a bit harsh for him to say that. I’ve spoken to Tom and we have stuff running in the background.
“We’ve not forgotten, no one here has forgotten about Black Lives Matter. I think it is a bit harsh for Mikey to not do some research before criticising.”
Archer exposed to racial abuse
Archer has very recently had run-ins with the toxic elements that pervade social media when his breach of the bio-bubble led to him being dropped for the second Test against the West Indies.
The fast bowler says remaining in the bio-bubble has been one of the most mentally taxing things he has ever had to do.
He admits the prospect of more bio-bubbles in the coming months is a daunting one.
“I’m not sure how many more bubbles I’ve got left in me for the rest of the year,” he said. “I haven’t seen my family really since February and it’s September now.
“The IPL (Indian Premier League) is going to be most of October, November we (England) go to South Africa, hopefully.
“That only leaves me with a few weeks in December for the rest of the year. I love my Hobart family, but I think I need to spend some time with my real family as well.”
England play the final match of their home summer against Australia on Wednesday 16 September.
Archer and teammates Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes have been signed to the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. The team play their first match of the season on 22 September just days after the end of the England international season.
“I’ll tell you, it has been mentally challenging,” said Archer.
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