London, Jun 26 (PTI) — Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that injury-prone Jofra Archer should not be rushed into playing the second Test against India at Edgbaston, despite his recent return to red-ball cricket.
Archer recently played his first first-class match in four years for Sussex against Durham, where he bowled 18 overs and took one wicket for 32 runs. The 30-year-old last appeared in a Test match in 2021. Earlier this month, England selector Luke Wright suggested that if Archer came through the four-day game unscathed, he might be in contention for the second Test starting July 2.
However, Vaughan thinks it would be better for Archer to get another four-day match under his belt before making a Test comeback.
“The positive is that Jofra is back in contention,” Vaughan said on ‘BBC Test Match Special’. “But I’d prefer to see him play one more four-day match.” “He hasn’t played long-format cricket in four years, so bringing him straight into a Test after just one county game against Durham seems rushed. Test cricket is a different level of intensity compared to county matches. Let him get another game under his belt — I’d stick with the same team unless any of the bowlers are carrying injuries.”
Archer recorded figures of 1 for 32 from 18 overs in Durham’s first innings, dismissing opener Emilio Gay. Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace also advised England to handle Archer cautiously.
“If I were in the selectors’ shoes, I’d honestly hold Jofra Archer back for the third Test,” Paul Farbrace told The Guardian. “He’s only bowled 18 overs in red-ball cricket, so you need to be cautious.”
“There’s no reason to make changes to the team — they’ve just won the Test at Headingley and are in a strong position in the series.” The former England assistant coach added, “I’d definitely go with Chris Woakes at Edgbaston, given his deep familiarity with the conditions there.”
Farbrace acknowledged that Archer “looked in great rhythm and bowled really well,” but added, “Instead of making him play back-to-back games and then throwing him into a Test, it might be wiser for him to skip our next match and prepare for the third Test. Ultimately, though, that decision is up to the selectors.”
Archer burst onto the scene in 2019 as one of England’s most thrilling talents, famously delivering the winning super over in their home World Cup triumph, and then claiming 22 wickets in just four Ashes Tests that same summer. However, his career since then has been hampered by injuries — beginning with an elbow problem in 2020 that required multiple surgeries, followed by a back stress fracture in 2022.
These setbacks have led to several interrupted attempts at making a full comeback to international cricket. Most recently, Archer was in line to feature in the white-ball series against the West Indies but picked up a thumb injury while playing in the Indian Premier League.