The Barbados-born Archer has only recently met the criteria to qualify for England, but hasn’t played a game for the team. He has pushed his case through performances in T20 leagues, including at Rajasthan Royals where he and Stokes are teammates.

While the debate rages on over whether Archer should get to play for England in this year’s World Cup, which begins on May 30, Stokes was unreserved in his praise for the fast bowler.

“I know what it means to him, I know how happy he would be. If he’s happy, why shouldn’t I be happy?”@CJordan discusses his relationship with @craig_arch, his own World Cup hopes and what he’s learned over the winter.https://t.co/6dQcoRFCZh

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 3, 2019

“Jofra makes any team better,” he said, speaking on BCC‘s The Doosra podcast. “He is the most naturally gifted bowler I’ve seen and I don’t think he realises how good he is. Some of the things he can do at the click of a finger are just ‘wow’. It’s pretty special to watch.”

After the World Cup they also have the Ashes to look forward to, for which they’ll again be strong favourites especially since it’s being played at home. A double of the World Cup and Ashes would make it one of England’s most memorable summers.

“We’re fortunate to be around at this stage in our careers where we have a World Cup and an Ashes in England at the same time,” said Jos Buttler. “The one-day team has been playing some good cricket for the last three years and we have got ourselves to No.1 in the world, which was one of the targets of the side.

“The favourites tag doesn’t mean anything but it should give us confidence for what should be a memorable summer of cricket.”