'They were really close': The personal tragedy behind World Cup hero

England star Jofra Archer was grieving the death of his cousin in Barbados during his team's incredible success at the Cricket World Cup.

Ashantio Blackman, 24, was shot dead outside his home in St Philip the day after England's World Cup campaign started with a win over South Africa in May.

Despite the shocking news, Barbados-born Archer finished as England's leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 11 innings during the World Cup.

He also bowled the Super Over in which Eoin Morgan's side clinched their victory against New Zealand in Sunday's dramatic final at Lord's.

Archer's father Frank told the Times newspaper: "(His cousin) is the same age as Jofra and they were really close, he even messaged him in the days before he died.

"Jofra was really affected by his death but had to carry on."

Archer qualified for a British passport thanks to his father and only became eligible to play for England in March.

"People have been questioning his Britishness, but him playing for England has shown he will inspire everyone to play cricket, because it's usually seen as an elitist sport," his father said.

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was voted man of the match in the final after scoring a vital 84 not out, admitted England's post-match celebrations led to "the latest night I've had for a very, very long time".

It was a redemptive triumph for Stokes after his involvement in a 2017 street brawl in Bristol led to a court case that saw him acquitted of affray.

"After what I've been through, it does make these moments feel all the sweeter because you are going to have ups and downs, but it is how you cope with it that matters," Stokes wrote in the Daily Mirror.

"It was great to eventually get hold of mum and dad back in New Zealand as well, they were over the moon.

"Redemption is a word that people have been using, but that is not something I'm thinking about. I certainly wasn't thinking about it while I was trying to win the game."

Ashes looms for World Cup heroes

England's attention will now turn to the five-match Ashes series, which begins on August 1.

Test skipper Joe Root says the team's success at the World Cup can act as a perfect launching pad for those players involved in the longer format.

"It's what we set out to do two or three years ago and we're halfway there," Root told reporters.

"This will give the guys confidence and we've talked about taking that forward into a series like that."

England beat Australia in the World Cup semi-finals at Edgbaston, the venue for the first Ashes Test, and Root said they were looking forward to getting back there.

"The way we played against Australia in that semi-final ... the guys who were involved relished it and will want a bit more: the feeling of euphoria we felt at that ground," Root added.

"To potentially be able to experience all that again is very exciting. Ashes cricket always has a different edge to it so that in itself will get everyone going.

"The atmosphere, the way it builds up and the way the guys get excited about it, it's like no other series in Test cricket."

With agencies