Jofra Archer likely to return in Edgbaston Test against India, confirms England selector Luke Wright

Jofra Archer’s Test match absence exceeds four years; however, following his T20 World Cup return last year, he has maintained fitness, completing the entire IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, barring the final two matches due to tournament suspension.

New Delhi: England pacer Jofra Archer is on the heels of a potential Test comeback in the home series against India, as soon as the second game at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Archer, who has been able to sustain his fitness and just played the entire season of the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, except for the last two games when the tournament was suspended, hasn’t played a Test for England for over four years but is set to play for Sussex’s second team to build up his red-ball workload.

“Jof’s also tracking along really well actually,” said England’s chief selector Luke Wright on Archer’s potential presence in the India Test series. “The plan is for him to play a few second-team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test [June 22-25]. Then if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test.

England’s pace bowling options for the first Test against India have been affected by Gus Atkinson’s hamstring injury. The return of Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes, coupled with the potential inclusion of Jofra Archer, significantly strengthens the team’s bowling attack.

“Like anything with all these bowlers, he’s got to keep ticking things off everyday with no setbacks,” Wright added. “But, if all goes well and he gets through that Durham game, then he’s available potentially for selection for that second Test.”

Several injured English bowlers, including Wood and Stone (injured in March and April respectively), are resuming bowling practice and could potentially rejoin the team for the latter stages of the India series. This follows similar progress reported for Archer.

England and India will play a five-Test series, beginning June 20th at Headingley, Leeds, and continuing July 2nd at Edgbaston.