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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Sport
- 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.
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Archer to feature for England at Edgbaston? Rob Key teases return of
London [UK], June 28 (ANI): ECB managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, dropped a subtle hint about tearaway Jofra Archer's return in the forthcoming second Test against India in Birmingham, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday. Archer returned to England's Test fold for the first time since February 2021 after being named in the 14-player squad for the contest at Edgbaston. His inclusion comes in the aftermath of his return to first-class action in the County Championship on Sunday for the first time in more than four years. The 30-year-old, known to test the speed gun with his scorching pace, scalped a solitary wicket and struck 31 runs with the bat in 34 deliveries for Durham against Sussex in the County Championship. Archer's last appearance dates back to England's 10-wicket defeat by India in Ahmedabad in February 2021, following which numerous injuries plagued him and kept the promising speedster out of the format. While Archer's inclusion has left former cricketers and fans with split opinions, Key hinted at the prospect of the right-arm seamer charging at the Indian batters with his blistering pace at Edgbaston. '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. 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,' Key said as quoted from Sky Sports. '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 added. If Archer fails to make the cut for the final XI, Archer could appear in the final stages of Sussex's next Championship fixture at home to Warwickshire, which will take place from Sunday to Wednesday at Hove. In 13 Test appearances, Archer has scythed 42 wickets at 31.04. '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,' he said. While Archer's return to County didn't glisten with magical numbers, Key feels the 30-year-old managed to achieve his potential and added, '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.' England are currently leading 1-0 in the series after gunning down a record 371-run chase at Headingly, fuelled by Ben Duckett's flamboyant 149, Joe Root's composed 54* and Jamie Smith's (44*) finishing touches. 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)
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First Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Jofra Archer not confirmed to play in 2nd Test vs India despite red-ball comeback after 4 years
Jofra Archer has returned to England's Test squad after four years but is not guaranteed a place in the playing XI for the second Test against India. England have not yet decided whether the pacer will play at Edgbaston. read more Jofra Archer has been named in England's squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, starting 2 July. However, his place in the playing XI is still not certain despite making a red-ball comeback after more than four years. Archer had been sidelined from Tests due to a series of injuries to his elbow and back. Archer played his first red-ball match last week, representing Sussex in a County Championship game against Durham. He bowled 18 overs and picked up one wicket, showing signs that he is close to full fitness again. After his performance for Sussex, Archer was added to England's squad for the ongoing series against India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: Bumrah absent from India's first practice session at Edgbaston; Siraj seen polishing batting skills: Report Archer not confirmed to play 2nd Test However, there's no confirmation if Archer will make it to the playing XI in the second Test. England cricket team's managing director Rob Key has confirmed that Archer is likely to play at least one of the next two Test matches against India. He did not specifically mention which Test Archer would feature in. '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. '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,' he added. The decision to include Archer in the playing XI will be taken by England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. If Archer doesn't play in the second Test, he might feature in Sussex's County match against Warwickshire later in the week. Also Read: Bumrah not celebrated on same level as Tendulkar, Kohli and Rohit, deserves equal respect: Ashwin '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,' Key said, asserting that they will do what's best for Archer even if it means returning to County Championship if he isn't picked in the second Test. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD England won the first Test against India at Headingley to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. While it is unlikely they will tinker with a winning combination, Archer has the quality to tempt the team management to make a bold change.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Archer to feature for England at Edgbaston? Rob Key teases return of "world-class" speedster against India
London: ECB managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, dropped a subtle hint about tearaway Jofra Archer's return in the forthcoming second Test against India in Birmingham, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday. Archer returned to England's Test fold for the first time since February 2021 after being named in the 14-player squad for the contest at Edgbaston. His inclusion comes in the aftermath of his return to first-class action in the County Championship on Sunday for the first time in more than four years. The 30-year-old, known to test the speed gun with his scorching pace, scalped a solitary wicket and struck 31 runs with the bat in 34 deliveries for Durham against Sussex in the County Championship. Archer's last appearance dates back to England's 10-wicket defeat by India in Ahmedabad in February 2021, following which numerous injuries plagued him and kept the promising speedster out of the format. While Archer's inclusion has left former cricketers and fans with split opinions, Key hinted at the prospect of the right-arm seamer charging at the Indian batters with his blistering pace at Edgbaston. "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. 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," Key said as quoted from Sky Sports. "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 added. If Archer fails to make the cut for the final XI, Archer could appear in the final stages of Sussex's next Championship fixture at home to Warwickshire, which will take place from Sunday to Wednesday at Hove. In 13 Test appearances, Archer has scythed 42 wickets at 31.04. "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," he said. While Archer's return to County didn't glisten with magical numbers, Key feels the 30-year-old managed to achieve his potential and added, "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." England are currently leading 1-0 in the series after gunning down a record 371-run chase at Headingly, fuelled by Ben Duckett's flamboyant 149, Joe Root's composed 54* and Jamie Smith's (44*) finishing touches. 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.
India.com
7 hours 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
