Chris Jordan comfortable performing under pressure for England
The paceman is looking to secure his place in the T20 World Cup squad.
Chris Jordan could be forgiven for thinking he must prove himself in the next few days against South Africa to cement his place at the T20 World Cup but the England seamer has an alternative perspective.
Jordan has missed only one of England’s 28 sprint-format matches since the last T20 World Cup in 2016 while he is their second highest wicket-taker of all-time with 56 scalps at a fine average of 23.71.
England have a number of fast bowling options for the ongoing series against the Proteas, while injured pair Jofra Archer, Jordan’s close friend, and Pat Brown will doubtless come into the reckoning as the year progresses.
“One of the hallmarks of this team is that whoever is playing at the time is trying to keep their standards as high as possible,” he said.
“I don’t think that the environment has been created in such a way to feel that pressure for a playing spot. You have that in any team any way but I don’t think that is the focus at all.
The tourists made a false start under the East London floodlights after failing to chase down seven in the final over as Lungi Ngidi’s supreme death bowling saw South Africa draw first blood in the three-match series.
England came unstuck chasing what looked a no better than par 178 at Buffalo Park, where Jordan took two wickets in two balls, but the 31-year-old would still back the batsmen as they look to respond at Durban on Friday.
“Potentially we could have been a little bit smarter at times but T20 cricket is one of those things. You try to take the positive option more often than not and some days it goes your way, some days it doesn’t.”
England may select the same XI at Kingsmead in an attempt at continuity but Dawid Malan has a compelling case for a recall, boasting an average of 57.25 with a strike rate of 156.31 after nine T20 internationals.
Jordan, though, feels England have an extraordinary batting unit, which he finds beneficial to improving him as a bowler.
He added: “I honestly find our training sessions so beneficial because I am bowling at some of the best in the world. Literally, if you miss your mark, you go out the park.
“Equally, we have got conversations about what can work and how we can improve slower balls. A big strength of this team is our communication and our will to try to help each other get better.”
