The stage is set for a potential comeback of England’s express pacer Jofra Archer in the second Test against India at Edgbaston, with England leading the five-match series 1-0. Archer, who has been out of Test cricket since February 2021, has been named in England’s 14-member squad, fueling speculation about his inclusion in the playing XI for the Test starting Wednesday.
England’s Managing Director of Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, hinted strongly at Archer’s potential appearance in the Birmingham Test. Speaking to Sky Sports, 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.”
Archer’s return to the red-ball setup comes on the back of a long injury layoff and a recent outing in the County Championship for Durham against Sussex, where he picked up one wicket and scored 31 runs off 34 balls. Though the numbers were modest, Key was encouraged by Archer’s rhythm and sharpness, saying, “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.”
Archer last played a Test in February 2021, when England suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat to India in Ahmedabad. Since then, recurring elbow and back injuries had sidelined the 30-year-old, preventing him from building consistent momentum in the longest format.
While his inclusion in the squad has stirred mixed reactions among fans and analysts, Key stressed the importance of managing bowlers’ workloads without being overly cautious. “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 in the playing XI at Edgbaston, there’s a possibility he might feature for Sussex in their upcoming County fixture against Warwickshire at Hove, which overlaps with the Edgbaston Test. “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 noted.
England, buoyed by their thrilling 371-run chase at Headingley in the first Test — courtesy of Ben Duckett’s 149, Joe Root’s unbeaten 54, and Jamie Smith’s composed 44* — are aiming to solidify their lead in the series. The team management now faces a strategic call: whether to unleash Archer’s pace on a high-stakes stage or ease him back into international cricket more gradually.
England’s squad for the second Test includes: 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, and Chris Woakes.