Jofra Archer's attention fully on levelling New Zealand series after racism controversy

The England bowler was verbally attacked during the first Test but insists he has "moved on" from the episode as the tourists attempt to draw level

England bowler Jofra Archer says he is fully focused on levelling the Test series against New Zealand after being subject to racial abuse during the first match in Mount Maunganui.

Investigations are ongoing regarding the incident which occurred immediately after the 24-year-old was dismissed during the tourists' second innings on day five.

New Zealand Cricket have pledged to issue a life ban to the perpetrator once they are identified.

Archer is expected to be involved when England return to action in the second Test in Hamilton on Thursday, and the Barbados seamer says he will not allow the event at Bay Oval to affect his concentration for the game.

"The first thing I want to say about what happened towards the end of the Test at Mount Maunganui is that I'm over it," he said in his column in The Daily Mail.

"I've left what happened at the ground and I've moved on. I should also say it was just one person who was shouting stuff.

"But I found the incident a real shame. When you come to another country, you half expect fans to have a go at your cricket. If someone wants to shout at me and tell me I'm bowling badly, that's fine. I may not agree but it's fine. It's part of the experience of being a touring cricketer.

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"To hear racism, though — that's another matter. There is no time or place for it in any walk of life, let alone cricket. It's just not called for.

"I don't want to go into the details of what was said but I know what I heard. I thought members of the crowd around the guy might have pulled him up because I could hear him from the pitch as I was walking off. 

"I guess they didn't. But I know I wasn't hearing stuff. I told the security guard what had happened and that was it.

"Now my only goal is to make sure we finish this series on a high because we were all disappointed with the result in the first Test."

In the middle, Archer struggled to recapture his best form as England slumped to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 65 runs, despite being in the ascendency after two days.

Across his 42 overs - only spinner Jack Leach bowled more - he finished with figures of 1-107 but was often used in sharp bursts rather than lengthy spells.

Former seamer Angus Fraser believes Archer is being misused by captain Joe Root, who himself has urged the Sussex quick to up his game.

^{Jofra Archer's displays have come underfire from Joe Root}

Archer added: "I try not to read the media but I guess there's been some talk about my bowling. I did as good as I could: I sent down 42 overs and went at 2.5 in unhelpful conditions. 

"I know I've never bowled more than 30 in an innings before but I felt fine. I could have bowled again the next day.

"I have to accept people are going to be looking at my speeds. I thought I was bowling quicker than the speed gun suggested.

"I pretty much know what speed I usually bowl at and at one point I bowled a normal ball and it came up at 120-something kilometers per hour, which is less than 80mph. That didn't seem right.

"I know Joe used me in short bursts at the start but that was mainly because we were trying to find the right ends for each bowler.

"The wind made it difficult to work out, so there was a bit of shuffling around. He also wanted to keep everyone fresh. The sun was hot, the pitch was flat and it didn't make sense for anyone other than Jack Leach to bowl a long spell."

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