sponsor Pragnell promises to add rubies to Jofra Archer's gold chain

How often do you go to a jewelry shop ! ~ when was the last time, you bought a Gold ornament .. .. days, months, or year back ? ~ which is your favourite jewel shop ?

Recently, the Stratford-upon-Avon-based jeweller Pragnell  expanded its premises — but they've not had to move to do so. Instead, they knocked through into the house next door, a home built by a friend of William Shakespeare. 65 years ago, George Pragnell took a bit of a gamble. He was already a successful face in the business, having supplied several items to Queen Mary while running Biggs of Maidenhead. In 1954, he decided to go out on his own and bought a Tudor building in Stratford-upon-Avon to serve as headquarters for his new business — as well as his family home.  The rest, as they say, is history. Pragnell incorporated several other jewellers over the years, not least Philip Antrobus of Bond Street, who made The Queen’s engagement ring and a bracelet she wore on her wedding day.

Remember him play at Chepauk in 1983 test – a sportstar picture revealed him to be wearing a thick gold chain on which was written ‘live-love-laugh’. Those days, we heard that Caribbeans are care-free, luxury chasers who live their lives happily.  People doubted that big man who opened with Gordon Greenidge – was he a dour defencer ~ nay, he could smack couple of huge sixers pushing back Greenidge and even Viv Richards.  Desmond Haynes, the man, burst on to the scene, when he  was called up from relative obscurity for a One-Day International against Australia. The impact was immediate. He set the Antigua Recreation Ground on fire, with a blazing 148 against Australia and this showed that the kid nicknamed "Joe Louis" -- because of his love for the famous boxing champion -- was ready for the world.

Today, the battle for Ashes continue at Old Trafford.  England have made one change to the team that won the third Ashes Test, with Craig Overton coming in for Chris Woakes.  Overton, the Somerset seamer, made his Test debut during the 2017-18 Ashes series, dismissing Steven Smith to take his first England wicket, and most recently played in the defeat at Auckland in 2018. He won selection ahead of Woakes and allrounder Sam Curran. Woakes has taken nine wickets at 29.00 in the series, but has struggled for control, leaking 3.34 runs per over, and has bowled fewer overs per innings than the rest of England's seamers.

This is no post on Cricket or specifically ‘Ashes’ but on jewellery – one worn by a Cricketer – Jofra Archer to be specific.   MailOnline reports that Jewellers have  created an incredible gold neck chain for fast-bowling England star Jofra Archer featuring a link set with rubies for every Australian wicket he takes during the Ashes. Fast-bowler Archer, 24, was given the gold chain by his sponsor Pragnell.  Stratford-upon-Avon jewellers have since made him an ambassador for them and have  promised to encrust the chain with a ruby for every Ashes wicket

Fast-bowler Jofra Archer is seen with a large gold neck chain – and this would become more valuable as it  will have a ruby encrusted for every wicket he takes during the Ashes. The cricketer, 24, became England's top wicket taker this season soon after being selected for the Test side.  His  sponsors, who made the link set to mark his achievement, have promised to add a red jewel for every wicket he takes against Australia this Ashes. Archer, who moved from Barbados four years ago to play for Sussex, has already bagged 13 Australian wickets.

Pragnell, a jewellers based in Statford-upon-Avon, say on their website: 'We will set one link of his chain with rubies for every wicket he takes during the Ashes series this summer.'  The family-owned business started work on the bespoke gold chain, which is also set with diamonds, after Archer's 'super over' against New Zealand that saw England win the World Cup final.  It is not known how much the chain will be worth, but Pragnell's most expensive standard necklace is priced at £99,750. Archer has become known for wearing jewellery and large watches on the pitch.

While the ICC does not ban players from doing so, they could cause a health and safety issue or a distraction for the opposing team.  During a 2009 game, England claimed West Indies player Fidel Edward's yellow and green fluorescent wristband was off-putting.  Earlier in 1993 in a tour to Windies, Dean Jones called for the wrist bands of Curtly Ambrose to be removed – claiming them to be distraction.  This enraged Ambrose, who promptly ripped through the Aussie line-up with a 5 for.

Reflecting on 2019 so far, Sussex player Archer said: 'It's probably the best year of my life. 'I've made all of my debuts, all a few months apart. We've won a lot of games in all three formats, so I am happy at the moment. 'I didn't think I was going to get my maiden five-for this series, so I'm over the moon to actually be doing all right for the team.'

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

4^th Sept. 2019.