Jofra Archer Ready for Red-Ball Return: Likely to Return for 2nd Test Against India!
After four years, Jofra Archer is gearing up to make a comeback into England’s test squad. The 30-year-old was away from the red-ball format since February 2021, after suffering multiple injuries.
Furthermore, the Barbados-born English pacer faced a recent setback when a thumb injury ruled him out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as well as the ODI series against the West Indies.
There were uncertainties about Archer’s inclusion in England’s squad as his name was initially not included in Sussex’s 12-member squad.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clarified that Archer was among those core players in the Sussex squad for the contest.
Recently, the pace bowler showed his mettle as a tailender in the ongoing County Championship Division One 2025. With this handy contribution, Jofra sends a message to the selectors that he could feature in England’s squad for the 2nd test match against India in Birmingham.
Jofra Archer’s Quickfire Knock as a Tailender: Durham vs Sussex
After four years, Jofra Archer marked his comeback into red-ball cricket in style in the 36th match of the County Championship between Durham and Sussex.
He came to bat at No.10 and played a quickfire knock of 31 runs out of just 34 balls (including 3 fours and 1 six) at a strike rate of 91.18.
Additionally, Jofra formed a 54-run partnership with James Coles, who remained unbeaten, scoring 148 runs from 219 balls (including 17 fours and 1 six). This valuable contribution from a tailender helped Sussex conclude Day 1 on 322/9 at stumps on Sunday (June 22), and their innings wrapped up on the second day, thereby compiling their first innings total of 361 runs in 106.5 overs.
England Captain Confident About Jofra Archer’s Test Comeback
Jofra Archer, who bagged 42 wickets in 13 tests at an average of 31.05, is expected to bolster England’s pace bowling attack, possibly in the forthcoming Birmingham test against India on July 02.
Meanwhile, the England test skipper Ben Stokes voiced his confidence in Archer’s return to test cricket:
“Yes! He is desperate to wear the white jersey again. After undergoing a stressful period with injuries, he finally managed to return to white ball cricket.
Out of the routine blues, he used to text me a couple of times asking if he was a part of the test squad for the Zimbabwe tour. All I told him was to just hold on and not to rush at this stage.
It’s good news not only for England cricket but also for Archer. This is how we can form a game plan effectively for his red-ball comeback, which is indeed a great sign,” Stokes said before the commencement of the first test.
England Selector Confirms Archer’s Return in Birmingham Test
Luke Wright, England’s chief selector, revealed the ECB’s plans to include Archer for the second test match between England and India at Edgbaston, Birmingham:
“Yeah! Jofra is being monitored and has been performing very well. The main plan is to allow him to play a few games for a second team, like Sussex against Durham between June 22 and June 25. If everything goes according to our plan, then we should keep our fingers crossed and hope Archer will be available to play for England in the second test at Edgbaston,” Wright said.
Conclusion
In the first two days of the opening test in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy, the English bowlers struggled to take wickets. But the 4-fer from Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes each gave a tough fight to the visitors.
Overall, Archer’s return to the test squad could bolster the bowling attack of the hosts in the forthcoming matches of the ongoing red-ball series.
