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Jofra Archer has 'fingers crossed' for Rajasthan Royals comeback in IPL

Fast bowler extends stay at Sussex, the county where he first put down roots in England in 2016.

Jofra Archer says he is keeping his "fingers crossed" for an comeback with Rajasthan Royals this season, after making good progress with his rehab following a stress fracture of the elbow.
Archer, who has agreed a two-year extension to his contract with Sussex, was omitted from England's ongoing Test tour of Sri Lanka. However, he hasn't given up hope of being fit for at least some of the IPL, which begins on March 29.
"The elbow is fine," he told Sussex's website. "I haven't felt it for the last few weeks now so I think it's making good progress.
"I'm not targeting anything. I've played a lot of cricket so I don't think I'll forget how to play cricket even if I don't do anything for the next couple of months.
"It's actually nice to just take a break. I'm not happy that it's come at this time but I'm also grateful that I'm getting the chance to relax and take a step back for a bit."
"You never know, fingers crossed. I'll probably have some more information when I get it re-scanned. It could be a bit longer, I might have to wait, it could be a bit shorter."
Though hugely in demand in all formats of the game, at international level and in T20 leagues, Archer says he retains a special bond with Sussex, the club where he first put down roots in England after arriving from his native Barbados in 2016 and where he will now be staying at least until the end of 2022.
"Sussex gave me my opportunity right at the beginning of my career, so I am very happy to commit long term to the club," Archer told Sussex's website.
"I really do enjoy playing with everyone here at Sussex and it was really nice to come back down last year to play a few games with the lads.
"It's the same club that I left it as and it's nice to know nothing has changed. Sometimes people sit in my space in the dressing room now, but that's fine!
"It most definitely still feels special to pull on the Sussex shirt."
Jason Gillespie, Sussex's head coach, added: "We're delighted that Jofra will continue to be with us at Sussex. "I'm really looking forward to having him play for us when his England commitments allows. He loves playing for Sussex - he's like a kid in a candy store!
"We all love having him around, and seeing his improvements as a player has been great. Hopefully we can play a role in helping him continue to get better."
Archer made his first-team debut for Sussex in July 2016, and has claimed 196 wickets in 97 appearances across all three formats. In first-class cricket for the county, he has taken 131 wickets in 28 matches.
He made his England debut in May 2019, after the ECB's residency rules were changed from seven to three years. He has since claimed 30 wickets in seven Tests, as well as playing a pivotal role in England's World Cup triumph last summer, with 22 wickets in the tournament before delivering the decisive Super Over at Lord's.