Will Jofra Archer play in 2nd Test vs India? England's managing director reveals
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Rob Key recently opened up on the possibility of Jofra Archer playing the second Test against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Archer has been added to England's squad as he recently marked his return in first-class cricket, playing for Sussex in the County Championship.Archer marked his return to the Test team after four years, having last played against India in 2021. Recently, Rob Key was asked if the speedster is fit enough to play the second Test vs India. The ECB managing Director said that he could play at least one of the next two Tests and also didn't rule out the possibility of him delivering the first ball in Birmingham.advertisement'I would imagine [that he will play at least one of the next two Tests]. As I stand here now, that's where it's heading, but who knows? He could bowl the first ball of the [Edgbaston] Test. All options are available,' Key told Sky Sports.
Furthermore, Key revealed that Archer could also go back and play the last two matches for Sussex if the team management feels that he isn't ready for Test cricket yet.'Yeah, so if he's not, there's a chance he can go back and play the last couple of games of the championship if we feel that's the best thing for him. It might be the case even if he doesn't play at Edgbaston that having him in and around is the best thing. But then he could walk out there and bowl the first ball of the test match. Who knows? All options are available,' he added.Archer scalped 1/32 in 18 overs on his red-ball comeback and also scored 31 (34). Sussex's next game begins from June 29 against Warwickshire in Hove. The 30-year-old has played two Test matches for India and picked four wickets at an average of 30.50. Several experts have warned against rushing Archer into Tests as he's coming from a series of injuries. It remains to be seen if he gets the nod for the second Test set to begin from July 2 in Birmingham.- EndsMust Watch
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India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
Will Jofra Archer play in 2nd Test vs India? England's managing director reveals
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Rob Key recently opened up on the possibility of Jofra Archer playing the second Test against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Archer has been added to England's squad as he recently marked his return in first-class cricket, playing for Sussex in the County marked his return to the Test team after four years, having last played against India in 2021. Recently, Rob Key was asked if the speedster is fit enough to play the second Test vs India. The ECB managing Director said that he could play at least one of the next two Tests and also didn't rule out the possibility of him delivering the first ball in would imagine [that he will play at least one of the next two Tests]. As I stand here now, that's where it's heading, but who knows? He could bowl the first ball of the [Edgbaston] Test. All options are available,' Key told Sky Sports. Furthermore, Key revealed that Archer could also go back and play the last two matches for Sussex if the team management feels that he isn't ready for Test cricket yet.'Yeah, so if he's not, there's a chance he can go back and play the last couple of games of the championship if we feel that's the best thing for him. It might be the case even if he doesn't play at Edgbaston that having him in and around is the best thing. But then he could walk out there and bowl the first ball of the test match. Who knows? All options are available,' he scalped 1/32 in 18 overs on his red-ball comeback and also scored 31 (34). Sussex's next game begins from June 29 against Warwickshire in Hove. The 30-year-old has played two Test matches for India and picked four wickets at an average of 30.50. Several experts have warned against rushing Archer into Tests as he's coming from a series of injuries. It remains to be seen if he gets the nod for the second Test set to begin from July 2 in Birmingham.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
'He could be one of the best ever': Rob Key's big comment on Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Allaying concerns about Jofra Archer 's readiness for Test cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) director Rob Key has said that the pacer could have been brought back much earlier, but the decision was made to allow him time to gradually build up for the demands of the longest format. Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace had both advised against rushing Archer into the second Test against India at Edgbaston, despite his recent return to red-ball cricket. Archer, who has not played a Test since 2021, was named in England's squad after bowling 18 overs and taking a wicket in a four-day County match for Sussex against Durham. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "I think we've gone slower than we could have done," Key was quoted as saying by The Guardian. "Jofra has been in a long period where he's been building up and building up (in white-ball cricket). The temptation could have been to rush him back sooner. But actually we've gone down this road to make sure that we're in this position now where we're thinking about playing him," he added. England won the first Test at Headingley, but their pace attack lacked penetration despite the result. Archer, one of the standout bowlers in the recent IPL season, could provide the cutting edge England need—if he makes the final XI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "He could be one of the best bowlers we have had. And you only do that by doing it in Test cricket. Hopefully for the next few years we'll be fortunate enough to see Jofra have the chance to stake that claim," said Key. The ECB director also emphasised that England captain Ben Stokes would be well-placed to manage Archer's workload intelligently, keeping in mind his injury-prone history. Team India's Intense Nets at Edgbaston| Prep for 2nd Test vs England "These are impact players. You don't want them doing other roles. That's where you need complementary skills, so you can share a bit more of the work. The temptation at times with Jofra is that he can do a bit of everything. "But you've got to use him when he can impact the game and Ben (Stokes) is one of the best at that. You have got to be smart with how you use them so they can help you win a game," Key explained. Gambhir & Agarkar Plot at the Birmingham Nets | Key Talks Ahead of 2nd Test vs England On Mark Wood, who has been out of action following knee surgery earlier this year, Key was optimistic about his return but did not specify a date. Reports suggest that the speedster could be available for the fifth and final Test against India in late July. "Wood is someone who could turn up after bowling a bit in the nets, like he did (in 2023), and it's 96mph, swinging the ball and hitting a length. We're very fortunate he has the ability to hit his straps pretty much from the start. "Jofra is close to the Mark Wood end of the scale: a pretty pure talent, not a lot of moving parts to his action. He knows exactly what he is doing and what he is about," Key added. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Why Archer's addition in ENG's playing 11 could prove troublesome for IND?
After more than four years away from red-ball cricket, the marquee English pacer Jofra Archer is back in England's Test squad, and the timing could hardly be more ominous for India, who are eyeing a fightback at Edgbaston after going 0–1 down in Leeds. Recalled ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, Archer's inclusion marks a potentially decisive turning point in the series. Although some voices in English cricket have cautioned against rushing the pacer back, England's selectors are clearly willing to take the risk, hoping his raw pace and match-winning ability can exploit an Indian batting order still reeling from the collapse at Headingley. Archer's return, coming just days after he bowled 18 overs for Sussex against Durham, could give England a psychological and tactical edge, especially if paired with the in-form Brydon Carse and seasoned campaigners like Chris Woakes or Josh Tongue. England taking a calculated risk The 30-year-old Archer has been fast-tracked back into the squad after delivering a decent performance for Sussex in the County Championship. Despite a significant layoff due to five surgeries over three years, England believe he is fit enough to return. The decision, however, hasn't come without concerns. Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace, who has worked closely with Archer during his rehab, felt the more prudent choice would have been to wait until the third Test. He said Archer should ideally be eased into the side and that there was no need to disrupt a winning combination. Selection dilemma despite winning start Archer is the only addition to the squad that pulled off a stirring win at Headingley, and his inclusion has created a selection conundrum. England are unlikely to alter their settled batting unit, which means one of the bowlers could make way. While Chris Woakes has only taken one wicket, he enjoys the advantage of local knowledge at Edgbaston. Josh Tongue, who helped dismantle India's lower order in both innings of the first Test, may be the likelier omission. In such a tight series, every selection could tip the balance, and England know they are gambling with team chemistry. Why India should be worried about Archer's return? For India, Archer's return adds a fresh layer of concern. His high-speed spells and subtle variations are tailor-made for English conditions, and his ability to extract bounce even from docile pitches makes him a lethal threat. While Archer has only played two Tests against India and 13 Tests overall, his performances with the white ball and his renewed determination towards red-ball cricket make him a far greater threat to an under-pressure Indian team, who are looking to stage a fighting comeback after the loss in the first Test. Experts like Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison have praised the rare modern pacer who genuinely craves Test cricket despite repeated injuries. A return with timing and intent While former players like Mike Atherton have warned against disrupting a settled side, they also acknowledge that England might see this as the right moment to strike with maximum firepower. Archer's return — even if just symbolic at Edgbaston — signals England's intent to dominate. For India, the challenge just got tougher — and with Archer potentially peaking at Lord's, this gamble could snowball into a defining moment in the series.
