IND vs ENG: 'Gamble worth taking, but …' - Former England captain weighs in on Jofra Archer's Test comeback
Jofra Archer (Getty Images)
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has weighed in on the return of Jofra Archer to England's Test squad, calling it a "gamble worth taking," but expressed caution about slotting him directly into the playing XI for the second Test against India at Edgbaston.
Archer, who last played a Test in February 2021, has been named in the squad for the second Test starting July 2. The 30-year-old has battled persistent elbow and back injuries in recent years, and made his red-ball return earlier this week for Sussex, bowling 18 overs against Durham and picking up 1/32.
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Hussain, speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of Archer's comeback: "Firstly, you have to say it's good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it's great to see him back in the squad… he hasn't played a Test match for four years.
"
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However, the former skipper cautioned against rushing Archer into the XI for Edgbaston. "I think it's too much of a risk this week, but it may have gone so well - I don't know Jofra Archer's body - it may have gone so well that they say, 'we'll play you this week'. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?"
Despite that, Hussain remained optimistic about the long-term value of Archer's return. "I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don't know if it's worth taking this week.
I would do it a week after at Lord's."
England lead the five-match series 1-0 after their five-wicket win at Leeds. The rest of the squad remains unchanged for Edgbaston.
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England squad for 2nd Test vs India
Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
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