Jofra Archer To Make Comeback In IND vs ENG 2nd Test? Heres What We Know
England may be about to unleash one of their most lethal weapons as reports suggest Jofra Archer could return for the second Test against India at Edgbaston on July 2. The 30-year-old fast bowler, whose career has been plagued by injuries, is reportedly set to make his red-ball comeback for Sussex in their County Championship match against Durham beginning June 22. Although Archer's name was initially absent from Sussex's official 12-man squad, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed he will be traveling with the team to Chester-le-Street — a quiet move believed to be aimed at avoiding media attention.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant To Get Banned? ICC Investigates Heated Ball Change Outburst During IND vs ENG Headingley Test
The Barbados-born pacer last played first-class cricket in May 2021, a match he couldn't complete due to a recurring right elbow injury. Since then, Archer has been restricted to white-ball formats, featuring in the 2025 IPL season for Rajasthan Royals before a thumb injury sidelined him once again. This injury also kept him out of the first Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, which India dominated with a 471-run first innings at Headingley. Concerns peaked when Sussex left Archer out of their official squad announcement on Saturday. But England selector Luke Wright later clarified the omission was a mistake, reaffirming Archer's inclusion in the travelling party and his readiness to play — barring any last-minute setbacks.
England's Bowling Crisis Deepens
The return of Jofra Archer couldn't come at a more critical juncture. England's pace attack, led by Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes, looked toothless in the series opener. With Mark Wood still recovering from knee surgery and James Anderson being rested, the team is lacking firepower against a confident Indian batting lineup led by new skipper Shubman Gill. Archer's presence could offer England the aggressive edge they desperately need. His ability to extract pace and bounce, even from docile surfaces, makes him a match-winner in red-ball cricket. In 13 Tests, he has taken 42 wickets, and if he proves his fitness this week, he's expected to walk back into the playing XI for Edgbaston or potentially the third Test at Lord's from July 10.
Ben Stokes and the Archer Connection
England captain Ben Stokes has long expressed his desire to see Archer back in whites. Speaking earlier this month, Stokes said:
'Randomly, a couple of times he would just send me a text... I was like, 'Let's just hold it there. I know you're in a good spot right now but let's not rush it.'' Stokes emphasized how Archer's long list of injuries has been mentally and physically draining for the player, but also shared optimism:
'It's really exciting for England — but even more so for Jof — that he's finally in a position where we can plan a proper return.'
The Verdict: Will Archer Play the 2nd Test?
While Archer's fitness remains the ultimate variable, the signs are promising. If he completes the County match unscathed, England's selectors are likely to fast-track his return to Test cricket. With the Ashes 2025 looming, building match fitness and confidence will be crucial — and a high-profile series against India is the perfect proving ground. Until then, England fans will watch Sussex's game at Chester-le-Street closely, hoping to see Jofra Archer in rhythm, pain-free, and ready to don the England whites once again.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Herbalife India's new podcast with Manika Batra reveals the mindset behind sporting excellence
In its latest episode of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, Herbalife India features a powerful conversation with Manika Batra, one of the most prominent names in Indian sport. Titled 'Personal Growth Through Sports: Life Lessons from Table Tennis,' the episode brings listeners face-to-face with the grit, discipline, and drive that have defined Manika's remarkable career. Personal Growth Through Sports: Life Lessons from Table Tennis Player Manika Batra. Hosted by Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, the episode covers everything from Manika's historic run to the round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a first for any Indian woman in singles table tennis, to her views on mental resilience, recovery, and staying motivated. 'Sports has been my greatest teacher,' Manika shares. 'It's taught me how to stay mentally strong, how to bounce back from setbacks, and how to keep working hard even on the toughest days.' The conversation moves beyond competition and medals. Manika opens up about her personal challenges, from injuries and self-doubt to the pressure of expectations, and how consistent training, clean nutrition, and mental preparation have kept her going. She also discusses the critical role of supplements in her routine, especially while travelling for international tournaments and during high-intensity training blocks. 'Supplements are an essential part of my routine,' she says. 'When you're training hard or on the move, you don't always get the right nutrition from food alone. I trust Herbalife products to give me the support I need.' Manika's journey also touches upon her plans to give back to the community. She reveals her vision for a high-performance training academy that will support young table tennis players with the right facilities, not just physically, but mentally and nutritionally. Adding to the episode's depth is the perspective from host Ajay Khanna: 'Manika's story is not just about winning, it's about evolving,' he says. 'Her insights on resilience, consistency, and wellness make this episode a must-listen, not just for aspiring athletes but for anyone striving for personal growth.' The episode ends with a fun rapid-fire round where Manika shares her favorite cheat meal (chole bhature), music playlist, and even recalls a fan who once asked her to teach his dog table tennis. Watch the Full Episode YouTube: Also streaming on: Spotify: Apple Podcasts: Amazon Music: Whether you're a sports fan, a wellness enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted offers a rich mix of insights, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice. Herbalife (NYSE: HLF)is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. Live Your Best Life, Unscripted is an extension of that mission, a platform where real stories meet real science, helping listeners make better choices, one episode at a time. Stay tuned, new episodes drop monthly with more inspiring guests and wellness insights. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
India Today
25 minutes ago
- India Today
Arshdeep Singh, tailenders' batting in focus at India's practice session in Birmingham: Report
Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh had a long practice session in India's first training session in Birmingham, reported Times of India on Friday, June 27. The left-arm fast bowler, who is yet to make his Test debut, worked closely with bowling coach Morne case Jasprit Bumrah does not play the second Test match at Edgbaston, Arshdeep could be in the running to make his Test debut. The fast bowler is well established in the white-ball format with the Indian team and would love to get a chance with the red ball, in conditions where he has played County Cricket to the report, star fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna did not train with the side, despite being at the stadium premises. Bumrah has already mentioned that he would play 3 Test matches and would take a call on more if his body responds better to the workload. The fast bowler captained India at Edgbaston back in 2022, a Test match where Ben Stokes' England chased down 378 runs to script an incredible win. The second Test of the 5-match series begins on July 2. India are already 0-1 down in the series after the hosts chased down 371 runs in little more than a day at Headingley, Leeds. Ben Duckett was instrumental in neutralising Jasprit Bumrah in the final innings of the Test match. Bumrah went wicketless in the final innings as India failed to defend a big FRONTLINE PACERS WITHOUT BUMRAHadvertisementIn case Bumrah does not play the 2nd Test, this is how India's potential pace attack might look Siraj - 37 TestsAkash Deep - 7 TestsPrasidh Krishna - 4 TestsArshdeep Singh - Yet to debutIt is expected that the Indian team will make changes to their combination. India might play two spinners in the 2nd Test match in case the hosts once again offer a dry and flat pitch like from Arshdeep's training, focus was also put on Mohammed Siraj's batting, as Sitanshu Kotak spent an extended amount of time fixing the technique of the fast bowler. The tail of the Indian team collapsed in both innings of the 1st Test match, hurting India's prospects of scoring big totals in the game. England captain Ben Stokes later spoke about this in the post match press conference, stating that bundling out the Indian tail early turned out to be a crucial moment in the Test will expect more help from the last 5 batters in the Test match as the pitch is expected to be flatter in Edgbaston.- EndsMust Watch
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
31 minutes ago
- First Post
'He has been losing and losing': Former India opener warns Gautam Gambhir ahead of 2nd Test
Former India opener has said that head coach Gautam Gambhir is under a lot of pressure after recent red-ball failures. He pointed out that Gambhir has been supported fully by selectors and must deliver in the 2nd Test against England to silence criticism. read more Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that Gautam Gambhir is under a lot of pressure as head coach of the Indian team, especially because of India's poor performance in Test matches in recent times. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that Gambhir doesn't have a strong record in Test cricket and needs to do well in the second Test to silence the criticism. Chopra warns Gambhir Chopra said that while Gambhir's performance in white-ball formats has been good, the real questions are going to be about the Test team. He further said that the selectors have been fully supporting the team management and giving them the players they are asking for. Chopra added that Gambhir must now deliver results to prove his credentials as a red-ball coach; otherwise, questions will be asked. 'There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. The pressure is absolutely mounting. If you look at his performances in Test cricket and red-ball cricket, you will find that he has not won a lot of matches. He has won 2 matches against Bangladesh and one against Australia. However, we lost three against New Zealand, three against Australia and one against England. He has been losing and losing," Chopra said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'His performance in white-ball cricket has been good. The team has been playing well. But in Test cricket, I think the questions are going to be there. And I think there is a lot of pressure on this series. If this series doesn't go well, God forbid, I hope it goes well. I really want Indian cricket to do well. But if the England series doesn't go too well, then there will be a question mark — Where are they going and what are they doing?" he added. 'Because the selectors feel that whatever team management is asking for, it is being given. The type of player you want, the number of players you want, and the player you are pointing at are being given. So, if this is the case, then you also need to deliver the results. Period. There is no excuse," Chopra concluded. India lost the first Test against England at Headingley despite being ahead for most of the time. India dominated several patches of the game but allowed England to make a comeback everytime they were falling behind with both the bat and the ball. All eyes will now be on how the team responds in the second Test starting 2nd July in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
