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India.com
11 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
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Jofra Archer not guaranteed a return in 2nd Test vs India, England reveal workload plan after Nasser's sharp caution
Jofra Archer's much-anticipated return to Test cricket has gained momentum with England men's managing director Rob Key confirming that the pacer is likely to feature in at least one of the next two Tests against India. Archer, who hasn't played a red-ball international since February 2021 due to a series of elbow and back injuries, has been included in England's squad for the second Test at Edgbaston, beginning July 2. Jofra Archer during a warm-up session in the 2025 Indian Premier League (REUTERS) Speaking to Sky Sports News, Key said, "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." Archer recently returned to first-class cricket, taking 1/32 in 18 overs for Sussex against Durham. That outing marked the completion of a long and gruelling rehabilitation phase. "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," said Key. "You need a lot of different things to be a world-class bowler and he has all of them - pace, release point, skill, accuracy." However, not everyone is convinced about the timing of Archer's inclusion. Former England captain Nasser Hussain cautioned that it would be a "gamble" to play Archer in the second Test so soon after his return. '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?' Hussain added, 'He's only just made his first-class comeback for Sussex for four years this week where he bowled 18 overs. When Archer's fully fit he is one of the best in the world. He is absolutely box office, he has that raw pace. But unfortunately for him he hasn't been fully fit for a very long time. So it is a gamble.' Similar to Bumrah situation The dilemma surrounding Archer mirrors India's situation with Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled 44 overs in the first Test at Headingley and is likely to be rested for the Edgbaston game. Like Archer, Bumrah returned to action after an injury layoff, too. Key also spoke about England's approach to workload management, stating, "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. It's about getting your bowlers out there as much as possible so they can impact games of cricket." If Archer is not selected for Edgbaston, he might feature in the final stages of Sussex's upcoming County Championship fixture against Warwickshire. "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," said Key.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Keith Andrews appointed as Brentford manager on three-year deal
Frank, who left to take over at Tottenham Hotspur, stepped up from the assistant role at Brentford to take charge in 2018, and now Sky Sports News has reported that Dubliner Andrews (44) has taken on his first managerial role having served as the club's set-piece coach for one season. While the move has not been officially confirmed by Brentford, it is believed Andrew was the Bees' number one target. Earlier this week, Damien Duff – who quit his role as manager of Shelbourne last Sunday – was linked with a coaching role under Andrews at Brentford. However, last Monday, the former Ireland international dismissed the speculation linking his with the London club. Andrews' first Premier League game in charge of Brentford will be away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday August 17 (kick-off 2pm). Andrews, who made 35 appearances for Ireland, began his coaching career as assistant manager at MK Dons where he finished playing in 2015 before joining the Ireland Under-21 set-up as assistant coach to Stephen Kenny. Kenny became manager of Ireland's senior side in 2020, taking Andrews with him, where they both remained until Kenny's contract ended three years later, but Andrews found himself newly employed in a matter of weeks. Andrews joined Sheffield United's coaching staff when Chris Wilder took over in December 2023, with the Irishman leaving at the end of the season to take up his role at Brentford. "He is someone we have known for a while and always had in mind for a role at some point in the future,' Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles said at the time of the appointment. While Frank took assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton with him to Spurs, Andrews remained at Brentford, a clue perhaps to his future at the club. Frank, who took Brentford into the top flight for the first time in 74 years and made them a competitive force in the Premier League, will be a hard act to follow for the inexperienced Andrews, but his predecessor also went into the job relatively unknown. More to follow…
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Nasser Hussain questions logic behind Jofra Archer's return vs India for 2nd Test, fires ominous warning for Ben Stokes
Jofra Archer made a long-awaited return to England's Test squad, ending a four-year exile marked by persistent injuries and lengthy rehab spells. The pacer, who last played a Test in 2021, has been included in England's 16-member squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, starting July 2. Jofra Archer returns to England's Test squad for the Edgbaston match against India(REUTERS) The 29-year-old made his first-class return just last week for Sussex, bowling 18 overs, and now finds himself back in England's red-ball plans. While the recall is a moment of relief for fans and the team alike, questions remain over whether the decision to include Archer in the squad as early as this week is too much too soon. "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," former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports News. "Fundamentally if you're an England fan you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad," Hussain added. However, the excitement of his return is tempered by caution. Hussain argued that selecting Archer for the second Test may be premature given his recent return from injury. "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?" he said. "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." Why the hurry, asks Nasser Archer's inclusion presents England with three choices, according to Hussain: keep him playing for Sussex to gain more overs, pick him for Edgbaston, or include him in the squad to observe his progress without playing him immediately. "The problem with [playing him at Lord's] is then he'll have played three games in three weeks, that Lord's Test his third having not played for four years," Hussain pointed out. "What is the hurry when we've waited so long? Why not wait another week just to make sure?" England will have one eye on the long term, including the Ashes and upcoming tours. 'Bowling fast is hard work and it is a risk. It's a risk they're willing to take and I think they have to take before the winter, they have to find out can Jofra get through maybe two of these next four Test matches.'
South Wales Guardian
12-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Andy Robertson reveals talks over future but welcomes competition at Liverpool
The 31-year-old Scotland captain is entering the final year of his contract and last season was something of a mixed bag in terms of his form. Having seen long-time team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold run down his deal in order to join Real Madrid, Robertson may face reduced playing time should the club's chase for the £45million-rated Cherries full-back be successful, as expected. But the Scot remains positive about his future and the challenge ahead. 'We have discussed it, of course we have. We've had good discussions with me and the club but what the future holds I am not sure,' Robertson told Sky Sports News about his contract. 'I need a rest after a long season and then I look forward to pre-season, that's all my focus is, I can't look too far ahead. I never have done that so I am not going to start doing that now. 'I know the position I am in and I have only got a year left and a lot is getting spoken about and getting said but my full focus is on being a dad for the next couple of weeks and enjoying that time with the kids. 'Then I will try to come back in the best possible shape for pre-season and then we'll see what the future holds when these decisions come.' On the potential arrival of Kerkez, a 21-year-old Hungary international, he added: 'The club have identified certain positions where they want to get new blood in, it looks like players we're linked to are all younger players and they are all exciting players as well. 'When you play for a big club like Liverpool you expect challenges, you expect competition and I have always faced that, everyone here has faced that in their own positions and I expect nothing less. 'I want the club to be ambitious, they are doing that and wherever we fit into that, if we're happy with our role, we stay and we do it and if not then I am sure there will be a few out the door as well but that's the nature of football.'
