England bowler Jofra Archer ‘grieved during cricket World Cup’ after cousin was shot dead

England bowler Jofra Archer privately grieved during the cricket World Cup after his cousin was shot dead in Barbados, his father said.

Archer, 24, bowled the super over which helped England win the tournament by the slenderest of margins against New Zealand on Sunday.

The victory came after a murder investigation was launched into the death of Ashantio Blackman, also 24, who was killed outside his home in St Philip, eastern Barbados, in May.

Blackman was shot dead the day after England’s World Cup campaign started with a 104-run win against South Africa.

Archer took 20 wickets in 11 innings during the tournament despite grieving the loss of his cousin.

His father Frank Archer, 55, told the Times: “[His cousin] is the same age as Jofra and they were really close, he even messaged him in the days before he died.

“Jofra was really affected by his death but had to carry on.”

Archer was born in Barbados but qualified for a British passport thanks to his father, who added: “People have been questioning his Britishness, but him playing for England has shown he will inspire everyone to play cricket, because it’s usually seen as an elitist sport.”

Ben Stokes, whose 84 runs led to a player of the match award after the final, wrote in the Daily Mirror that the celebrations led to “the latest night I’ve had for a very, very long time”.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The batsman competed in the tournament after being cleared of affray in August 2018.

He wrote: “After what I’ve been through, it does make these moments feel all the sweeter because you are going to have ups and downs, but it is how you cope with it that matters.

“It was great to eventually get hold of mum and dad back in New Zealand as well, they were over the moon.

“Redemption is a word that people have been using, but that is not something I’m thinking about. I certainly wasn’t thinking about it while I was trying to win the game.”

Prime Minister Theresa May met the squad which “represents modern Britain” at a Downing Street reception on Monday.

She addressed the team inside Number 10, saying: “The final was not just cricket at its best but sport at its best – courage, character, sportsmanship, drama, incredible skill and even the odd slice of luck.

“It was a fitting end to what has been a great tournament, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in once again making our country a sporting showcase for the world.

“You are a team that represents modern Britain, and that plays like no other side in the world.

“When the odds were against you in the biggest game of your lives, you simply and stubbornly refused to lose.”

A former leading umpire has suggested England should not have won the cricket World Cup, calling the award of a controversial six “a clear mistake”.

(c) Sky News 2019: England bowler Jofra Archer ‘grieved during cricket World Cup’ after cousin was shot dead