Latest news with #Archer
Mint
an hour ago
- Sport
- Mint
‘Gamble worth taking': Nasser Hussain weighs in on playing Jofra Archer vs India at Edgbaston
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has said that the inclusion of pacer Jofra Archer in the second Test against India could be a 'gamble'. Notably, Archer did not play the first match against India but has been named in the English squad for the second Test starting from 2 July at Edgbaston. Speaking about the possibility of playing Archer in the second Test match, Hussain said, "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. Fundamentally, if you're an England fan, you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad." Hussain also pointed that inclusion of Archer will also require the removal of one of the current pacers which could prove to be a gamble given that England are 1- 0 in the series. "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? 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," he added. England won the first Test match against India at Leeds against all odds as the visiting sides had five centurions in their ranks. The Ben Stokes led side chased down a total of 371 runs in the last innings of the match to win the first match of the series by 5 wickets.
India.com
an hour ago
- Sport
- India.com
ECB's Director Rob Key Confirms Key Change for Second Test Against India
Jofra Archer is expected to participate in at least one of the upcoming back-to-back Test matches against India, as confirmed by Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, in an interview with Sky Sports News. The fast bowler, who last played a Test in February 2021, has been sidelined with persistent shoulder and back injuries. Now included in the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston beginning July 2, Archer may also feature in the third Test at Lord's, which starts July 10. England won the first test against India at Headingley, Leeds and the news of Archer coming back is a major boost for the hosts. 'Jofra Archer a Gamble' – Nasser Hussain While excitement grows around Archer's return, former England captain and Sky Sports pundit Nasser Hussain has urged caution, calling his selection for the second Test a 'gamble.' Archer recently made his red-ball comeback for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship a match that ended on Wednesday marking his first red-ball appearance in four years. Despite this, Rob Key is optimistic that Archer could jump straight into Test cricket. '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 added. Archer's Workload and Readiness Key highlighted the significant amount of preparation Archer has undergone over recent months. 'The amount of work Jofra has put in over the last six months almost… There is a point where your \[bowling] loads are there because of the building up you've been doing. We have to be careful with all of our bowlers but if you didn't want bowlers to get injured you would never play them. That's not what it's about. It's about getting your bowlers out there as much as possible so they can impact games of cricket," he said. Vaughan's Perspective and Sussex Match Option Former captain Michael Vaughan voiced his concern on Archer's return, suggesting he would not bring the pacer back into the longest format too hastily. "There is a chance he could play in the Championship if we think that is the best thing or it might be that if he doesn't play at Edgbaston having him around is the best thing. It was a question of could he hit his straps and could he get up to a decent pace, which we felt he did. Jofra is such a talent and was straight on the money. You need a lot of different things to be a world-class bowler and he has all of them – pace, release point, skill, accuracy," key added. England vs India Test Series 2025 – Fixtures & Schedule First Test, Headingley – England won by five wickets Second Test: July 2–6 – Edgbaston Third Test: July 10–14 – Lord's Fourth Test: July 23–27 – Old Trafford Fifth Test: July 31–August 4 – The Kia Oval
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Eng chief Key says Archer can pick up Test career
The return of fast bowler Jofra Archer to Tests is a dangerous sign for Indian batsmen due to his raw pace. PHOTO: AFP England supremo Rob Key expects Jofra Archer to slot back into an old routine should "one of the best bowlers in the world" make his long-awaited return to Test cricket next week. The 30-year-old express quick has been included in England's squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston after an absence from red-ball internationals of more than four years. Archer, hampered by injuries during his career, has played just 13 Tests -- with 42 wickets at an average of 31 -- and none since February 2021. But one of the most talented cricketers of his generation has now been recalled to the Test squad on the back of just one County Championship match this season, away to Durham last week, where Archer took 1-32 in 18 overs. "He's a pretty pure talent, there's not a lot of moving parts to his action in terms of complications, and he's 30-years-old now," Key told reporters in London on Friday. "He knows exactly what he's doing and what he's about. So it's more of a question of him just getting back into red-ball cricket." Key, speaking at a media event staged by series sponsors Rothesay, added: "The whole Jofra plan has been a long time in the making... We had Neil Killeen up there (at Durham), one of our (England) bowling coaches. And Key insisted England were not taking a risk with Archer's fitness as they decide whether to play him at Edgbaston or at Lord's for the third Test. "When he finally comes back either next week or the week after, touch wood, then that will be brilliant," said Key. "He will be fit and available for both (Tests). Whether he could play both, we'll find that out afterwards, if he did play at Edgbaston. "He isn't going to forget how to bowl. He's an unbelievable talent. I think Jof is one of the best bowlers in the world." Archer, however, could struggle to get back into an England side that chalked up a stunning five-wicket victory over India in the first of a five-Test series at Headingley last week. But if he is overlooked in Birmingham, he could return to Sussex to play the last two days of their County Championship match against Warwickshire next week. "We've picked him in the squad and we'll see how the conditions are," said former England batsman Key. "We've got decisions to make because these next two Tests are very close together and you want to be able to sustain that pressure throughout these back-to-back Test matches. "The guys (who played at Headingley) got better the more they bowled. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. (Anyone who is not selected) can go back and play the last two days of the championship."
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"I wouldn't be rushing Archer at this stage...": Former England cricketer David Gower
London [UK], June 27 (ANI): Former England cricketer David Gower has said that pacer Jofra Archer is being rushed into the Test set-up, and the team management should have seen him play three or more games for his county, Sussex, before taking him in the squad. England announced the squad for the second Test against India, starting from July 2 at Edgbaston, with pacer Archer included in the team after over four years. England is leading the five-match series 1-0 following a five-wicket win at Leeds. The 30-year-old right-arm quick returning to the England Test since February 2021 will be looking to add to his 13 Test caps at Edgbaston next week, as per an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) release. Archer has 42 wickets at an average of 31.04, with the best figures of 6/45. Archer played his first red-ball contest in more than four years earlier this week when he turned out for Sussex in their four-day match against Durham at Chester-Le-Street and showed glimpses of his best as he scored 31 with the bat and collected figures of 1/32 from 18 overs as the teams played out a draw, as per ICC. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gower said, 'You have got to face the facts that he has been injured, he has been operated on, the elbow has been troublesome.' 'He has played one game for Sussex and when you have had a fellow with that sort of injury history, in my book, you need to watch him or see him play three or four games maybe for Sussex and see how he is getting on to make sure that the fitness levels are where they should be, that there is no reaction to bowling 20 odd overs a day.' 'There is also the adage that you don't have to change a winning side. I would not be rushing Jofra in at this stage,' he concluded. Other than that, the squad remains unchanged. England Men's Test squad for 2nd Test: 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. Coming to the first Test match, India was put to bat first by England. Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), skipper Shubman Gill (147) and Rishabh Pant (134) pushed India to 471, with Ben Stokes being the leading bowler with figures of 4/66. England also delivered a fine reply with the bat, as a century from Ollie Pope (106) and fifties from Harry Brook (99) and Ben Duckett (62) pushed them to 465, giving India a slender six-run lead. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers, taking five wickets. India took a strong lead in the second innings, with centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Pant (118) taking them to 364. India led by 370 runs, but it was a lower-order collapse that prevented the lead from being even more massive. Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue took three wickets to stand out among bowlers. In the chase of 371 runs, England started off well with a 188-run stand between Zak Crawley (65) and Ben Duckett (149). However, a few quick strikes reduced them to 253/4, placing India in a balanced spot. However, Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*) took England home, despite two wickets each from Prasidh Krishna and took home the 'Player of the Match' award. (ANI)
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Nasser Hussain terms Archer's inclusion in England squad for 2nd India Test a
London [UK], June 27 (ANI): Former England skipper Nasser Hussain shared his thoughts on the inclusion of right-arm seamer Jofra Archer for the second Test, where he believed that the Three Lions have played a 'gamble worth taking' by including him in the line-up. England announced the squad for the second Test against India, starting from July 2 at Edgbaston, with pacer Jofra Archer included in the team after over four years. England is leading the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar trophy 1-0 following a five-wicket win at Leeds. Speaking on Archer's inclusion, Nasser Hussain said, as quoted by Sky Sports, '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. Fundamentally, if you're an England fan, you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad.' Further, the 57-year-old said that playing the spearhead in the second Test would be a 'risk too much this week' as he believes the bowler's body is not fully fit. '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? 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,' he added. The 30-year-old right-arm quick returning to the England Test since February 2021 will be looking to add to his 13 Test caps at Edgbaston next week, as per an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) release. Archer has 42 wickets at an average of 31.04, with the best figures of 6/45. Archer played his first red-ball contest in more than four years earlier this week when he turned out for Sussex in their four-day match against Durham at Chester-Le-Street and showed glimpses of his best as he scored 31 with the bat and collected figures of 1/32 from 18 overs as the teams played out a draw, as per ICC. Other than that, the squad remains unchanged. England Men's Test squad for 2nd Test: 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. (ANI)
