REECE TOPLEY has backed Jofra Archer to maintain his impressive form in international cricket ahead of the biggest game of his fledgling England career.

Occasions do not come much bigger for England cricketers than today’s World Cup semi-final against Australia at Edgbaston and the prospect of a Lord’s final against New Zealand.

Sussex’s Archer is England’s leading wicket taker at the World Cup with 17 and much of the focus will be on how he performs today against the Aussies, who boast the tournament’s top bowler Mitchell Starc with 26 victims so far.

England limited overs bowler Topley has just announced his comeback to cricket with Sussex after a year out to fix a recurring back problem.

He is poised to be unleashed by the Sharks when they begin their T20 Vitality Blast campaign next Friday against hosts Hampshire.

Barbados-born Archer was fast-tracked into England side after becoming eligible this summer – and the decision has paid dividends with his impressive haul helping the host nation to the last four.

Topley, 25, is excited by the prospect of lining up alongside Archer for Jason Gillespie’s side and the former Hampshire seamer believes the headline grabber can keep producing the goods beyond one sizzling summer.

Topley told The Argus: “I played against him a lot and obviously he’s doing well for England.

“The hard part is to sustain that.

“People have done well in the past when they have first come on the scene but I feel the hard work really starts then to sustain it.

“I am sure he can. He has all the attributes to do just that.”