Jofra Archer presents hat-trick shirt to MCC Museum at Lord's

Jofra Archer and MCC Curator of Collections, Adam Chadwick, with the hat-trick shirt (Photos: Clare Skinner)

Sussex Sharks all-rounder Jofra Archer has donated his signed Vitality Blast playing shirt to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Museum, after his stunning hat-trick in the Sharks’ victory over Middlesex at Lord’s earlier this month.

The 23-year-old, who was making only his third appearance at the Home of Cricket, took the first ever hat-trick in the English domestic T20 competition at Lord’s as Sussex defeated Middlesex by 12 runs in a thrilling finish.

He accounted for England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan, who made 90, John Simpson and James Fuller to finish with figures of 3 for 25 in the South Group victory.

Archer presented the shirt in person to MCC Curator of Collection, Adam Chadwick, on the second morning of Sussex’s current Specsavers County Championship against Middlesex at the same ground.

Archer said: “I feel really honoured that MCC have asked me to donate my shirt to their Museum, especially with it being a domestic T20 and not an international game.

“It only clicked after the third wicket that it might be three in a row! I was more focused on trying to close the game out than the hat-trick.”

Carl Fillery, CEO of Boundless – who as sponsors of the Sussex Sharks’ Vitality Blast kit have their logo on Jofra’s hat-trick shirt - commented: “I was at the match against Middlesex and when Jofra bowled his hat trick we were all on our feet - it was an incredible atmosphere and an amazing achievement. 

“We’re extremely proud to see a Sussex shirt hanging in the MCC Museum at Lord’s.”

In addition to famous features of the Museum such as the Ashes Urn and Prudential World Cup Trophy from India's victory in 1983, players regularly donate items of playing kit to MCC's collections.

Recent examples of such donations include Tammy Beaumont’s ICC Women’s World Cup winning shirt from England’s triumph at the Home of Cricket last year, and Rilee Rossouw’s shirt which he wore whilst making a century and helping Hampshire to win the Royal London One-Day Cup at Lord’s earlier this summer. 

Archer isn’t the only Sussex player to claim a hat-trick in this season’s Vitality Blast, as Tymal Mills repeated the trick in the match against Glamorgan at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove just twelve days after his teammate’s feat at Lord’s.

The Sharks became only the second team to have two hat-trick heroes in an English domestic T20 season, following in the footsteps of Warwickshire’s Imran Tahir and Keith Barker in 2010.

Archer and Mills are part of the Sussex Sharks side that have progressed to this year’s Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday 15th September.

"It's not something that happens every day" - Jofra on adding to the history of Lord's

Q Jofra, it’s a pretty big deal to have your shirt hanging in the MCC Museum. What does it mean to you?

A “Oh, it means a lot and it was something extra special because my family came over from Barbados to see it. 

“To have your shirt in the MCC Museum at Lord’s - it’s not something that happens every day! I didn’t even know it was a thing, so it was a big surprise and a very happy one.”

Q Did you ever imagine, growing up in Bridgetown, Barbados, that you would one day be staring up at your shirt at Lord's?

A “No, no. That’s something I never even dreamt of as a boy. It’s something that makes you very proud.”

Q What’s your first memory of picking up a cricket ball and bowling for the first time? Was growing up in Barbados a big influence because the West Indies are famous for fast bowling, of course?

A “I have to be honest and say I can’t remember the first time I ever picked up a cricket ball. I was just playing cricket all the time as a boy, so it would have been very young.

“I particularly remember playing for my Primary School and Secondary School, that’s when it really started getting serious for me.

“But it’s been a long journey because actually I didn’t start off as a fast bowler. That didn’t happen until four or five years ago.”

Q That’s a surprise considering the heritage of West Indies cricket! What happened?

A “Well, at first I was a wicket keeper and spinner, I tried leg-spin and off-spin but I wasn’t making progress. So, then I went back to pace and suddenly everything clicked.”

Q It just goes to show that not all cricketing careers are as smooth and simple as they look?

A “No, exactly. It’s been a long journey. I was also injured for almost two years, so it hasn’t happened easily or overnight. It’s taken a long time.”

Q What’s your advice to young players, boys and girls, taking up the game now and dreaming of making it big too?

A “I’d say my advice to young players out there is to keep on dreaming and keep on going. It could happen for you any time. It could be tomorrow, it could be in two days’ time. It could be any time, you never know when it will be.

“Looking back, the way it has happened for me has been amazing - and to see your shirt in the MCC Museum at Lord’s brings it home. So, the message is never give up.”

Q Is there anyone you would like to dedicate this latest honour to? Anybody who has made a big impact on your career, perhaps?

A “Having my family at Lord’s reminds me how much they have done for me and if I had to dedicate it to one person it would be my grandpa Eric, who passed away a couple of years ago. He really looked after me when I was injured - and I owe him a lot. So, it’s for him.”

Q Already at the age of 23 you’ve played in the IPL in India with Rajasthan Royals and with the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash – and of course in the Vitality Blast with the Sharks as well. What’s next on your career wish list?

A “My one big dream now is to get those three lions on my shirt. That’s my goal. And if one day I can take a hat-trick at Lord’s in an England shirt then that will be just about every box ticked!

“An England shirt next to the Sussex Sharks one in the MCC Museum would be pretty amazing!”

Q A lot of people are asking when you will play for England. You have an English father, a British passport and yet the cricketing rules say you have to live in England for seven years before you can be selected. Will we really have to wait another four years?

A “I honestly don’t know. There’s talk of them changing the laws and that maybe it could happen sooner, but I haven’t heard anything. So, let’s see. But I certainly hope that one day I’ll have those three lions on my shirt.”

Q What about your ambitions with Sussex? It’s looking like an exciting season on the south coast?

A “Yes, we’ve got a big season at Sussex, too. There’s Finals Day to come obviously and I also want to help us get promoted. So, there’s plenty left to achieve. It could be a big, big year.”

This interview is provided courtesy of Boundless, the Sussex-based events and experiences company and sponsor of the Sussex Sharks Vitality Blast shirt. www.boundless.co.uk