Unknown Archer fires warning shot to BBL

Hobart Hurricanes' move to sign "unknown" paceman Jofra Archer as an overseas player raised eyebrows last month but the West Indian's eye-catching KFC Big Bash debut left more than a few good judges impressed on Thursday evening.

Even the most rusted-on cricket fans were left Googling Archer's name when the Hurricanes snapped him up as a replacement for Tom Curran, who received a late Magellan Ashes call-up last month.

But in arguably the highest profile match of his short career, Archer’s raw pace and frugal four-over spell in Hobart's BBL|07 opener against Melbourne Renegades had the likes of star South Africa paceman Dale Steyn voicing their approval.

His return of 2-17 was a lone bright spot in the Hurricanes' disappointing first-up outing, with his double-wicket maiden that stopped Marcus Harris (50 off 34 balls) in his tracks and removed Tom Cooper for a fourth-ball duck giving the hosts some brief hope of victory at Blundstone Arena.

Hearing of the praise from Steyn brought a big smile from Archer. 

"It's very flattering that he thinks so highly of me," the 22-year-old said after his side's seven-wicket defeat. "I have never gotten the chance to speak to him face-to-face.

"I thought I went really well. They came out really well. Better than I expected but in the end, I just wanted to win the game tonight.

"I guess Hobart could have gone with someone with international experience, I'm very grateful to be given the chance. I just want to repay the (faith of the) coaches who brought me here."

The softly-spoken speedster grew up in Barbados and played for West Indies' Under-19s side only four years ago, but has since declared his intention to qualify for England following a successful start to his career with county side Sussex.

He was one of only two players to notch more than 50 wickets and 500 runs during the four-day County Championship season this year and his first-class numbers after 20 matches make for impressive reading; his bowling average sits at 26 and his batting average is 38.

But while England's Test side remains desperate for some out-and-out pace, Archer won't be eligible to represent his adopted nation for at least another five years. 

Being away from the international scene does have its perks though. In the modern T20 era where there are few secrets given how often the best play with and against one another, Hurricanes coach Gary Kirsten suggests Archer will hold a rare element of mystery during the BBL.

"Because he's relatively unknown, a lot of the batters won't have faced him," Kirsten said on Friday.

"He'll be an unknown quality coming into (the BBL) and hopefully that'll give us a big advantage.

"He bowled exceptionally well. That’s exciting going forward. He wants to win, he's very competitive and he's going to be a major factor for us.

"He bowls fast, he's got good skills and he can bat also. He's a really good addition to the team."

So impressed have Archer’s Hurricanes teammates been at his early showings in the nets and warm-up games that they've joked about keeping him on for the back-end of Tasmania's JLT Sheffield Shield campaign after the BBL.

"'Joff' said he's happy to move to Hobart, hopefully we can get him into Tigers kit as well at some stage," a smiling Bailey said at the toss on Thursday.

Cricket Tasmania have confirmed there is currently no plan in place for the right-armer to stay on after the BBL, though Archer himself said he'd be open to such a move and revealed Bailey had wound up Tigers coach (and Hurricanes assistant) Adam Griffith about the prospect of him playing for Tasmania.

"He (Bailey) was making a joke to the coach, he told him I had an Aussie passport," Archer said with a smile. "He (Griffith) was like, 'What? What?' 

"If the opportunity comes up, I would take it."

But Archer's priority remains qualifying for England, which requires him being in the United Kingdom for 210 days per year and he's already spent a month abroad playing in the Bangladesh Premier League.

"I'm not too sure how many days (I have left)," he explained. "I'll have to check in and speak to George."