England national selector Luke Wright said on Thursday that star fast bowler Jofra Archer, who played his previous match four years ago in the traditional format, may return to the team’s second Test match against India next month. The second Test of the five match series will be in Edgbuston from July 2 to 6.
The thirty -year -old Archer has not played first class cricket since 2021 due to injury several times and was also not considered for his selection in the team for the first Test in Headingley as he is trying to recover from the fracture in the thumb during the recently ended Indian Premier League.
Wright said, “Joff (Archer) is recovering quite well. The plan for him is to play some first class matches. Be a part of Sussex’s second team and then play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test.
He said, “If everything goes well, he will play for Sussex and then if everything goes well then it is expected that it will be available for the second Test.”
In Sussex, former Archer’s partner Wright said, “Like all other bowlers, he will have to perform well every day without any hindrance but if everything goes well and Durham was successful in the match, he could be possible for selection in the second Test.”
He also missed the England ODI series against the West Indies between May 29 and June 3 due to a thumb injury. England’s fast bowling department looks weak in terms of capacity and experience in the absence of Archer and fast bowler Mark Wood. Wood is away from cricket due to a knee injury in March. Right said that Woods could be contestants of selection in the second half of the series against India. (Language)
