Latest news with #Durham
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First Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
‘Pure talent' Jofra Archer backed to make instant impact against India at Edgbaston despite long absence from Tests
Jofra Archer was included in England's squad for the second Test against India on the back of a solitary First-Class game – Sussex's away match against Durham in which he made his first red-ball appearance in four years read more Jofra Archer has a total of 42 wickets from 13 Test appearances, the last of which came against India in February, 2021. 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. 'Jofra was such a talent. He was straight on the money. Bowling on a slow pitch, with good pace. We can track every single ball, He ain't going to forget how to bowl, Jofra.' 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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.'
Rhyl Journal
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Rob Key backs ‘unbelievable talent' Jofra Archer to thrive on Test match return
Archer is in England's squad for the second Test at Edgbaston, starting next Wednesday, despite only making his first-class comeback this week after a four-year absence following repeated injury setbacks. He sent down 18 overs across four spells at Durham, bowling economically and at high pace in taking one for 32, but his coach at Sussex, Paul Farbrace, feels Archer still needs more time in county cricket. Rob Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, insisted they are not taking a gamble with Archer's fitness as they weigh up whether to play him at Edgbaston or at Lord's for the third Test. Key is convinced whenever Archer gets given the green light, the 30-year-old will not take long to hit his stride and prove exactly why England have stuck with him through thick and thin in recent years. 'When he finally comes back either next week or the week after, touch wood, then that will be brilliant,' said Key, speaking at a Rothesay media event. 'He will be fit and available for both. Whether he could play both, we'll find that out afterwards, if he did play at Edgbaston. Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥 Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025 'He isn't going to forget how to bowl. There's not a lot of moving parts to his action in terms of complications, and he's 30 years old now, he knows exactly what he's doing and what he's about. 'He's an unbelievable talent. I think Jof is one of the best bowlers in the world. I don't know what people expect from him – I just think he'll bowl a decent pace and ask a few questions along the way.' Archer appeared a generational talent following a breakthrough summer in 2019 but stress fractures in his right elbow and back mean he earned the last of his 13 Test caps in February 2021. England's bowling coach Neil Killeen crafted a meticulous two-year plan alongside doctors and physios to get Archer back into international cricket frequently and ready for the rigours of Tests. He has been a white-ball regular for England for the last 12 months although a broken thumb sustained at the Indian Premier League derailed hopes of him being available for the start of the Test summer. Archer faces a battle to break into the XI as England might be reluctant to break up a winning formula – after a five-wicket victory at Headingley – and 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,' added Key. 'We've got to 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Rob Key backs ‘unbelievable talent' Jofra Archer to thrive on Test match return
Archer is in England's squad for the second Test at Edgbaston, starting next Wednesday, despite only making his first-class comeback this week after a four-year absence following repeated injury setbacks. He sent down 18 overs across four spells at Durham, bowling economically and at high pace in taking one for 32, but his coach at Sussex, Paul Farbrace, feels Archer still needs more time in county cricket. Rob Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, insisted they are not taking a gamble with Archer's fitness as they weigh up whether to play him at Edgbaston or at Lord's for the third Test. Key is convinced whenever Archer gets given the green light, the 30-year-old will not take long to hit his stride and prove exactly why England have stuck with him through thick and thin in recent years. 'When he finally comes back either next week or the week after, touch wood, then that will be brilliant,' said Key, speaking at a Rothesay media event. 'He will be fit and available for both. Whether he could play both, we'll find that out afterwards, if he did play at Edgbaston. Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥 Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025 'He isn't going to forget how to bowl. There's not a lot of moving parts to his action in terms of complications, and he's 30 years old now, he knows exactly what he's doing and what he's about. 'He's an unbelievable talent. I think Jof is one of the best bowlers in the world. I don't know what people expect from him – I just think he'll bowl a decent pace and ask a few questions along the way.' Archer appeared a generational talent following a breakthrough summer in 2019 but stress fractures in his right elbow and back mean he earned the last of his 13 Test caps in February 2021. England's bowling coach Neil Killeen crafted a meticulous two-year plan alongside doctors and physios to get Archer back into international cricket frequently and ready for the rigours of Tests. He has been a white-ball regular for England for the last 12 months although a broken thumb sustained at the Indian Premier League derailed hopes of him being available for the start of the Test summer. Archer faces a battle to break into the XI as England might be reluctant to break up a winning formula – after a five-wicket victory at Headingley – and 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,' added Key. 'We've got to 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.'
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jofra Archer primed for Test reward after four years of 'heartache and pain'
Jofra Archer has been included in the England squad for the second Test of the summer against India after bowling just 18 overs in red ball cricket for the first time in four years England supremo Rob Key says Jofra Archer's Test comeback after a four-year intermission will be his reward for fighting through the 'heartache and pain.' Archer was included in the squad for the second Test against India, starting at Edgbaston on Wednesday, after bowling just 18 overs in red-ball cricket since 2021. And managing director Key insists he never gave up hope of seeing England's 2019 World Cup final super-over hero unleashed on the Test stage again - despite his litany of elbow and back injuries. Archer bowled 18 overs for Sussex in their county championship draw with Durham earlier this week, taking 1-32, and that was enough to convince the England think-tank it was time to recall their Barbados-born warhead. Speaking at an event for Test sponsors Rothesay, Key said: 'I've never been worried that he wouldn't be back because he's always shown that he wanted it. "I'm no expert on the medical side, but we've got some brilliant physios and doctors who use the best specialists in the world, whether it was his elbow, his back or whatever. 'So if you go on what they say, and if they think there's a chance, Jofra's always been adamant that he's wanted to play Test cricket again. 'He could have been tempted to go down other routes (like franchise cricket) and he's never once done it. I've always had faith in Jofra, he'a always wanted to do it. 'Bowlers do go through a bit of heartache and pain, but you hope at some point they find a period where they can just play. 'Is 18 overs enough? I think you watch and see how it's coming out, you can see how he's bowling and track everything he's doing and how he feels. 'And I think he just found it mentally more challenging, just adapting to it than anything else, and he'll get better and better throughout the Test series. 'For any fast bowler, not just Jofra, you want to be at the stage where they can impact the game. 'I don't really think in terms of whether it might too much too soon - Jofra is one of the best bowlers in the world, Just think he'll bowl a decent pace and ask a few questions along the way. 'Hopefully for the next few years we'll be fortunate enough to see Jofra have a chance to stake that claim. He ain't going to forget how to bowl, so when we make that call we're not concerned. 'He's 30 years old now, he knows exactly what he's doing and what he's about. He's got a few more years to come.' Former England captain Michael Vaughan called the five-wicket win at Headingley, where England chased down 371 with 14 overs to spare on the final day to go 1-0 up in the series, 'Bazball with brains.' But Key admitted: 'I'm still not mad on the Bazball thing so I wouldn't call it anything. But the message is the same - if someone bowls poorly, you put them to the sword, and if they bowl well you find a way to get through it.'
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
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. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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. " Gambhir & Agarkar Plot at the Birmingham Nets | Key Talks Ahead of 2nd Test vs England 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. Team India Heads Back After a Gruelling Day | Full Focus on 2nd Test vs England 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. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
