Jofra Archer injury

Archer could return for the second Test against India: report

Danijones14 hours ago05 mins

Jofra Archer, who played for Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 IPL season, has not been a part of first-class cricket in four years due to injuries. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images Injury-prone pacer Jofra Archer could be in the England mix for the second Test against India beginning July 2, as he is set for a red-ball comeback with Sussex at Durham in the County Championship, according to a report. The England pace bowling attack without the likes of Archer and Mark Wood has looked tepid in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar series with India, led by new skipper Shubman Gill, scoring 471 runs in the first innings at Leeds. “Jofra Archer will return to red-ball cricket with Sussex — despite not being named in the squad for the County Championship match at Durham. If he comes through the match unscathed, he could be in the mix to play in the second Test against India at Edgbaston,” said a report in Sky Sports. It said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the pacer will be in Sussex’s travelling group for the four-day fixture beginning later on Sunday (June 22, 2025). Archer, who played for Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 IPL season, has not been a part of first-class cricket in four years due to injuries. The 30-year-old quick was initially not in the 12-player travelling squad for the County Championship match, raising doubts about his fitness but the ECB and Sussex later said the Barbadian-English cricketer will be travelling for the match at Chester-le-Street. If Archer is part of the playing XI and his body holds up in the red-ball fixture, he could be in contention for the second Test at Edgbaston from July 2 or the third at Lord’s from July 10. Archer has only played white-ball cricket for England since 2021 because of recurring elbow and back injuries. He was initially due to make a red-ball comeback for the England Lions against India A but a thumb injury, suffered during the IPL, did not heal in time. England skipper Ben Stokes had said earlier this month that Archer, who has 42 wickets in 13 Tests, was keen to return to Test cricket. “Randomly, a couple of times he would just send me a text… I was like, ‘Let’s just hold it there, alright. I know you’re in a good spot right now but let’s not just rush into it’. “He’s obviously had a horrific time with injuries but he’s had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats,” Stokes had said. “It’s really exciting for England, but also more exciting for Jof (Archer) that he’s in a position now where we’re able to have a plan in place, and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.” Published – June 23, 2025 04:02 am IST

England vs India: Coach Brendon McCullum confident as young Indian Test side tours for five-match series

Danijones2 weeks ago04 mins

England head coach Brendon McCullum said the young Indian Test team will arrive with high hopes, but he remains clear about the direction he wants to take his side in as they gear up for a challenging five-match home series. India begin their new World Test Championship cycle with a five-Test series against England, starting at Headingley on 20 June. India, without the services of the retired Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will be led by new skipper Shubman Gill. The squad features a promising crop of young batters, including Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. India are aiming for their first Test series win in England since 2007. “It’s important the guys refresh. We know where we want to get to as a Test team,” McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket. England’s bowling resources have taken a hit ahead of the series. Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the first Test, Mark Wood is unavailable for the entire summer due to injury, and Gus Atkinson is still recovering from a hamstring strain sustained during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe a fortnight ago. Chris Woakes used the India A match as preparation, bowling 32 overs and picking up five wickets. Josh Tongue, who is “likely to be part of the Test XI at Headingley,” chipped in with two wickets. “There are some quality bowlers unavailable, but we have a nice, varied attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue providing the high-pace element. “We also have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in confidence with every Test. We know we’re going to be tested against India, and they will arrive well-prepared. “They’re an outstanding cricketing nation, they’ll come here with high hopes, and we’re looking forward to the contest.” The England coach also praised young all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who returns to the 14-man group after impressing in New Zealand over the winter with three fifties from the No. 3 spot. “Bethell has a good life in front of him,” McCullum added. “For a 21-year-old, he’s got a real poise, and that allows him to go out there and be present and show off his flair and talent. The world is his oyster. He’s already becoming a leader in the dressing room, which is what you want. “Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett have reminded me of Duckett and Zak Crawley in the Test game. We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith possesses is amazing. These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, then you hope you end up with a rounded player.” Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jun 11, 2025