There is a possibility that injured pacer Jofra Archer can come back to red-ball cricket before the second Test against India on July 2. Archer is reportedly considering featuring for Sussex in their County Championship match against Durham at Chester-le-Street, which would be a big step towards a return to Tests after being away from first-class cricket for almost four years.
“Jofra Archer will return to red-ball cricket with Sussex — despite not being named in the squad for the County Championship match at Durham. If he comes through the match unscathed, he could be in the mix to play in the second Test against India at Edgbaston,” said a report in Sky Sports.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Archer’s place in Sussex’s traveling squad for the four-day game starting June 22. His name was not on the initial list of 12 players, with his fitness being questioned, but Sussex and later the ECB cleared the air that he would be heading with the team. If he remains fit and plays through the match without injury, Archer is worth considering for the second Test at Edgbaston or even the third Test on July 10 at Lord’s.
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England’s bowling line-up did not have much sting in the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, especially with the non-availability of express pacers Mark Wood and Archer. India took full advantage of the dented pace arsenal, with Shubman Gill’s team piling up 471 runs in their first innings at Leeds.
Currently 30, Archer has battled on-going elbow and back injuries and hasn’t figured in red-ball cricket since 2021. He hasn’t played for England since the white-ball colours and turned out for the 2025 IPL with Rajasthan Royals. A scheduled comeback at the start of the year with the England Lions against India A was put back following a thumb injury during the IPL.
England skipper Ben Stokes has earlier admitted Archer’s willingness to resume Test cricket. With 42 wickets in 13 Tests, Archer at his best could massively bolster England’s attack for the series ahead.
“Randomly, a couple of times he would just send me a text… I was like, ‘Let’s just hold it there, alright. I know you’re in a good spot right now but let’s not just rush into it’.
“He’s obviously had a horrific time with injuries but he’s had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats,” Stokes had said.
“It’s really exciting for England, but also more exciting for Jof (Archer) that he’s in a position now where we’re able to have a plan in place, and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.”
