Sam Rahme, the founder and CEO of Sydney-based Affinity Diamonds, has told Yahoo Sport Australia there’s about 80,000 reasons why Jofra Archer is unlikely to heed the words of Aussie cricket great Ryan Harris and take off his gold chain. Last week, Harris urged Archer to get rid of his gold chain and concentrate on bowling fast, but there is good reason the England quick won’t part with his garish piece of jewellery.
Rahme has pored over video of Archer bowling and estimates the necklace is worth at least $80,000 and possibly a lot more. Questions have been asked of the England paceman’s intent and effectiveness after he failed to consistently bowl above 140km/h in the second Test until the contest was virtually over.
Jofra Archer’s gold chain is believed to be worth about $80,000. Image: Getty
That led to a memorable exchange with Steve Smith, who baited Archer by telling him: “Bowling fast when there’s nothing going on, champion.”
In the aftermath to Archer’s lacklustre display, former Australia quick Harris told SEN radio: “If he takes it (the chain) off, he might be able to bowl quicker. We all know you’ve got a bit of money, mate – take it off, will ya?”
Ryan Harris said Jofra Archer should take his necklace off. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Expert believes Jofra Archer’s chain worth at least $80,000
But Rahme, whose company creates the NRL’s grand final rings, believes it’s batsmen – not Archer – who could be most put off by the massive chain. He told Yahoo Sport Australia: “From the colour of it, it’s 18-carat gold, which is a good thing because gold has doubled in value in the last 18 months.
“It looks hollow the way it bounces so it maybe weighs around 150 grams, so I’d say it’s worth around $80,000. It’s not the sort of thing you’d leave lying around a dressing-room and it’s no surprise he keeps that thing close to him. He’d be making good use of the hotel safe.
“But I don’t think taking it off would necessarily improve his bowling. If anything, it’s probably more distracting to the batsman as it doesn’t look so solid and probably jingles a bit.
“Not that you’d ask him to take it off. That didn’t work out too well for Dean Jones when he asked Curtly Ambrose to remove his sweatbands.”
RELATED:
Jofra Archer yet to dismiss Steve Smith in Test cricket
Archer was given the chain by his sponsor Pragnell in 2019 after emerging as one of the stars of England’s 2019 World Cup win. A jeweller offered to encrust it with a ruby for every wicket Archer took in that year’s Ashes series.
It’s unclear whether that deal still exists, but Archer has taken just three wickets in the current series and is yet to dismiss nemesis Smith at Test level. After going 2-0 up in the series, Australia only need to avoid defeat in the third Test in Adelaide – starting Wednesday – to retain the Ashes.