Jofra Archer, who played a key role in England’s first ever World Cup triumph recently, has revealed he played on taking painkillers.

The 24-year-old, playing his maiden quadrennial event, said he suffered from side strain a fortnight into the Cup, following which he was in ‘excruciating’ pain.

“It was pretty excruciating,” Archer told BBC Sussex. “I’m fortunate it’s settled quickly.”

“It was pretty bad. I couldn’t do it without painkillers, which was from the Afghanistan game onwards.

“I couldn’t get a week’s rest in during the tournament because of how close the games were. I only ever needed a week to 10 days.”

He didn’t let his performance suffer though as he finished the tournament with 20 wickets apart from delivering in the all-important super over in the final against New Zealand.

Archer, who is currently playing for Sussex in T20 blast, insists he has recovered and is raring to make a mark at The Ashes.

“I’m just ready to go out there and show the guys what I can do with a red ball,” he said. “I think my red-ball record is better than my white-ball record, so I just can’t wait to get the opportunity.”

England face Australia in the first Test in Edgbaston on August 1.