IND vs ENG: Jofra Archer added to England squad for 2nd Test

Jofra Archer is set for a potential comeback to Test cricket after nearly four years, having been named in England’s squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 2. The announcement comes on the heels of England’s impressive five-wicket victory at Headingley, which gave them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Archer's inclusion marks a significant boost to the English pace attack, especially given his history of impactful performances in red-ball cricket. The 29-year-old speedster recently marked his return to first-class cricket by turning out for Sussex in a County Championship fixture against Durham, his first appearance in the format since May 2021. Archer had been sidelined due to recurring elbow and back injuries, undergoing multiple surgeries that kept him out of the Test arena.

His comeback adds depth to an already promising pace unit. England’s bowling options for the Edgbaston Test now include Jamie Overton, Sam Cook, and first Test regulars Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue. With conditions in Birmingham often favouring seam bowling, Archer’s return could be pivotal in maintaining England’s early momentum in the series. His pace, bounce, and experience will provide a welcome edge to the hosts as they look to double their lead.

"It felt alright today. I've been playing for a year, and bowling for two years, including the build-up, so everything is fine,” stated England speedster Jofra Archer. 

"Now it's a different challenge, because I know my body can hold up to it. The mental part of the game [will be tough]. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to have to battle a bit with it, but it's all good. It's a new challenge, and I'll keep trucking along," he added.

The 30-year-old Jofra Archer has endured a challenging few years, having been sidelined by a recurring elbow injury followed by a back stress fracture. These persistent fitness issues severely limited his international appearances, restricting him to just seven limited-overs games between March 2021 and May 2024. However, after a lengthy rehabilitation, Archer has gradually worked his way back into competitive cricket. He recently made a significant return to first-class cricket, featuring in a County Championship match for Sussex against Durham at Chester-le-Street. In the rain-affected draw, Archer bowled 18 tidy overs, conceding just 32 runs and claiming a wicket, offering promising signs of his form and fitness ahead of the second Test against India.

Meanwhile, England’s pace attack was impressive during their victory in the first Test at Leeds. Josh Tongue emerged as the standout bowler, picking up seven wickets for 158 runs across both innings. Captain Ben Stokes also chipped in with five crucial wickets, showing his all-round value, while Brydon Carse bagged four. Although Chris Woakes had a less impactful outing with figures of 1 for 148, his experience could still prove vital as the series unfolds. With Archer’s return, England’s pace battery looks both balanced and threatening heading into Edgbaston.

England squad for 2nd Test against India

Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes