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Jofra Archer available for 2nd Test vs New Zealand: The first Test of the England vs New Zealand three-match Test series ended on Sunday as the England national cricket team won the match by 115 runs at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, on a wicket that was conducive for fast bowlers to cross the 200-run mark only once in the four innings of the game.
Jofra Archer, who missed the first Test as he is not ready to return to the red ball after playing for Rajasthan in the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Before the second Test match, England head coach Brendon McCullum has revealed the availability of Jofra Archer in the upcoming Test match. Kiwi head coach is optimistic about Archer’s return.
We hope- Brendon McCullum provides update on Jofra Archer
Asked about Jofra Archer’s progress, McCullum said, “We will probably look at it in the next few days. We are hopeful that he will be available for the second Test. Then we will work out depending on the conditions where we are.”
“He’s following a plan and we have full confidence in Joff. He’s shown in the past that he prepares himself based on the plans we meet and come up with. He’s always come to situations exactly how we want him to.”
Lord’s pitch controversy
The 31-year-old has been training in his native Barbados and could be in contention for the match at the Kia Oval, starting on Wednesday, June 17. Jofra Archer would have been furious after seeing the Lord’s pitch, which yielded 40 dismissals in 166 overs – a wicket falling every 24.9 balls in a game dominated by the bowler.
Apart from providing an update on Jofra Archer, McCullum also provided a review of England debutant Emilio Gay. The English opener impressed as he was the second player to score a half-century after England vice-captain Harry Brook. Gay played an inning of 57 runs in 95 balls in the second innings of the host team. he will see
I was extremely impressed – McCullum on Emilio Gay’s brilliant debut
McCullum said of Gay: “I was very impressed. I felt like things were turning around a bit for Emilio a week ago – the early steps into the England set-up. Worried is not the right word – it was more like, ‘Okay, you’ve just got to do a little bit of work to calm him down a bit so he can be ready to go.’
“But, during that week, he really worked on his preparation, which is important for him to feel like he’s able to go out and conduct himself the way he wants to. He became calmer and quieter as he got closer to the start line. He slowly settled himself and realized he didn’t have to be like anyone else.”
“He is quite an emotional person and when you come into international cricket it is quite difficult to suppress those emotions and handle the extra things and do it quickly.
“I was incredibly impressed by a) how he played in difficult situations – that fifty is probably worth more than what’s written on the scorecard – but b) the calmness with which he operated, which is rare to see when you step up to this level.”
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