A highly gifted all rounder, Archer's career was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury in the one-off Test against Pakistan in Karachi in 1956 when he was just 23. A permanent fixture in the team from his debut against South Africa at Melbourne in 1952-53 until stricken by injury in 1956 Archer was a stylish middle order batsman and robust opening Bowler. When England toured Australia in 1954-55 he topped the Australian bowling averages with 13 wickets (16.53). In the 2nd Test at Sydney he took 3-12 and 3-53 and his 49 was the highest score in the Australian first innings. After a slow start he excelled on the West Indian tour of 1955, recording 84 in Trinidad, 98 at Bridgetown and a maiden test hundred at Kingston to finish the series with 364 runs at 60.66. Showcasing his all round talent he took 18 wickets at 25.05 in England in 1956 but fell injured in Pakistan on the way home. He played in 1958-59 as a specialist batsmen but though he averaged over 40 for Queensland his knee would not allow him to continue in the game. After retiring from the playing field he worked as a TV executive, became Cricket Australia's Code of Behaviour Commissioner and officiated as an International Cricket Council match Referee. He was made a life member of the Queensland Cricket Association for his services to cricket.

On 12 June 1995, Archer was named a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of services to the community, cricket and Business. On 14 July 2000, Archer was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his cricketing achievements. In 2009 Archer was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.