It’s been over four years since Jofra Archer last played a Test match. But after returning to red-ball cricket for Sussex in the County Championship and joining the England squad for training in Birmingham, Archer is now being seriously considered for a comeback.
With England suffering a heavy 336-run defeat to India at Edgbaston—leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 1-1—former England pacer James Anderson believes Archer must be picked for the upcoming Lord’s Test.
Conditions Favour Archer’s Comeback, Says Anderson
The first two Tests of the series were played on flat batting pitches, with both teams putting up high scores. However, conditions at Lord’s could be more favourable for bowlers, and Anderson feels that Archer could provide the “X-factor” England desperately needs.
“You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then,” Anderson was quoted as saying on the BBC’s Tailenders Podcast. “I think he will play.”
“He’s played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you’ve got to play him. It’s too crucial a game not to,” he added.
England head coach Brendon McCullum also hinted at Archer’s return following the loss at Edgbaston. Speaking to the ICC, he said the fast bowler was in good shape and could be in line for selection.
“Jofra is looking fit, he’s looking strong, he’s looking ready to go, and he’ll come into calculations,” McCullum said.
“We all know what he’s capable of achieving in Test cricket and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he’s able to recapture and also improve on what he’s been able to do already in that form of the game,” he added.
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