England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated that Jofra Archer is “desperate” to make a comeback in the format ahead of the Ashes 2025/26 down under.
Despite picking up 22 wickets in his first four Test matches in the 2019 Ashes, Jofra Archer’s career has been ravaged by recurring injuries. He has played nine Tests since then, with his most recent outing coming in India in 2020/21.
After a long injury hiatus, he finally returned to action in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking eight wickets in as many matches at an economy of 7.22 in England’s semi-final run.
On the eve of England's second Test of the home summer against the West Indies, captain Ben Stokes said he was glad to see Archer return in the recently concluded global event, but he doesn’t want to rush back the fast-bowler into the longest format.
"I know that Jofra is desperate to get back in a Test shirt for England. He’s very passionate about playing for England and he’s still got a lot of passion to play Test cricket," Stokes was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "But he’s been through a very, very tough few years. Watching him to play in the World Cup was obviously great. But I’m very close with Jofra, and it was just great to see him back out on the field."
Stokes added: "It’s about not getting too giddy with it. If we don’t have him for a year, let’s say, but it prolongs his career for another two or three years, that’s what we are looking to do. We’re not looking to rush Jof back."
Stokes: Gus and Woakes will take the new ball
England’s pace-bowling attack is undergoing a transition as they enter a new era without James Anderson and Stuart Broad. While Broad retired last year in the Ashes, Anderson’s swansong game came in the first Test at Lord’s against the West Indies.
On the momentous occasion, Gus Atkinson, who was making his debut, shone with a record-breaking 12-106. The West Indies had no answer to his pace, managing only 121 and 136 in the match.
England recalled Mark Wood to the squad following Anderson’s retirement and named him the playing XI for the second Test at Trent Bridge. Stokes, however, confirmed that Atkinson and Chris Woakes will take the new ball during the match: "Gus and Woakesy will take the new ball. I first saw Gus live in the World Cup in India. He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it is to do with the Dukes ball, how it has behaved. There has not actually been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It’s generally been off the surface, hitting the seam and Gus is a very good exponent of that."
Dan Lawrence is on standby for opener Ben Duckett, who could miss the match due to the birth of his child.
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