Jofra Archer’s much-awaited return to the whites has once again been delayed as England named an unchanged XI for the second test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy against India in Edgbaston starting on Wednesday, 2 July.
The England fast bowler, who was included in the 15-man squad for the second Test against India, will now have to wait a while for his return, with the hope that now resting on the third Test, starting at the cricket ground of the prestigious Lord on 10 July.
Jofra Archer’s test comeback delayed, eyes return to God
Jofra Archer last played a Test in February 2021 and was recently impressed in his red-ball return for Sussex. Pacer bowled 18 overs and took 1 for 32 in the county championship match against Durham, which was prepared by Sussex in Chester-Le-Street.
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This was Archer’s first red-ball game since May 2021, which was after years of recovery from their elbow and back tension fractures.
Although Barbados-born cricketer passed the fitness test by finishing the red-ball game without any fitness concerns, he was not part of England’s training session due to a family emergency in Edgbaston on 30 June.
Family reasons behind the absence of Joffra Archer?
And the family may be the reason behind the delay in return in the test area of Archer. However, Joffra is expected to join the England cricket team on Tuesday, July 1.
With only three-day gaps between the second and third tests, there is a strong possibility that Jofra Archer may make a test return at Lord’s, where he made his test debut for England in 2019.
In particular, Archer and other players who are not part of the XI playing for the second Test against India will not be released to play in the ongoing county championship round.
Apart from Jofra Archer, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, and Jacob Bethel failed to find a place in England’s XI against India.
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Mark Wood urged India to play Jasprit Bumrah in 2 Tests
Meanwhile, England’s Pacer Mark Wood has issued a strong warning to India before the Edgbaston Test amidst the discussion that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to rest for the game.
Wood, who exits the five-match Test series at home, said that India cannot lag 2–0 in the series.
Mark Wood said on Sky Sports Podcast, “They can’t take the risk of going down 2–0. Therefore, you want your best bowler. There is no way he is saying, ‘I am not playing in Lord’s.’ I don’t think so.
“Even if, let’s just say, India wins the next one and it’s 1-1, I still think they want to make a difference, to pursue them. I think every foreign bowler wants to go on that board, and he will be the same.”
India has already made it clear that they will not play Bumrah in all five trials, as the premiere pace will be involved in only three matches, which means that they have a high probability of resting for a second test against England at Edgbaston Stadium.