Watch: Jofra Archer bowling in England’s winter nets would boost hopes of a return to international cricket as he gears up to join England Lions in the UAE.

The fast bowler posted a series of videos on his Instagram story training at England’s National Performance Centre in Loughborough, raising hopes of an end to his 18-month-long international absence. The clips showed Archer bowling in England’s super-heated tent, which is designed to help players prepare for hot and humid conditions on winter tours.

Although Archer did not look to be bowling at full pace, it is encouraging to see him back in England colours after battling several serious injuries over the last two years. The pacer has been missing from England squads since March 2021, an ongoing elbow injury requiring multiple surgeries and ruling him out of all competitive cricket for a year. At the beginning of the 2022 summer, Archer developed a stress fracture in his lower back which prolonged his spell on the sidelines.

In addition to training in Loughborough, Archer will also join the England Lions training camp in the UAE next month, with Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse completing a trio of fast bowlers continuing their injury rehabs alongside the squad.

The right-arm speedster has made 42 appearances for England across all formats since qualifying to play for the side in 2019, including his starring role in the 2019 World Cup final. He has 42 wickets and three five-fors in 13 Test matches, including in the 2019 Headingley Ashes Test.

With England set to tour South Africa and New Zealand in early 2023 as well as an England Lions tour of Sri Lanka scheduled, hopes are high that Archer will be able to play some role for England in the new year.

Watch Archer bowling in the England nets here:

Encouraging video on Jofra Archer’s instagram this evening, from the tent at Loughborough pic.twitter.com/aenGJKAecB

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) October 21, 2022