England has maintained the same lineup for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, as fast bowler Jofra Archer missed practice due to a family emergency.
The 30-year-old is anticipated to rejoin the team on Tuesday ahead of the second Test, with England aiming to solidify their lead in the five-match series. However, captain Ben Stokes will command the team without Archer.
Archer had been included in England’s squad following a thrilling five-wicket win in the opening match of the series at Headingley last week.
Having not played Test cricket since February 2021, Archer made his return to red-ball cricket in Sussex’s County Championship draw against Durham last week after a four-year absence.
Fellow England bowler Chris Woakes expressed enthusiasm about Archer’s potential return, emphasizing that the best years for him may still lie ahead.
Woakes acknowledged, “It’s fantastic for Jof and us as a team. His presence is significant, both as a player and a person. Jof has endured a challenging journey with injuries, and it’s commendable that he has worked hard to reach this point where he might play Test cricket again.”
Managing Expectations with Archer
Mark Wood, currently sidelined by injury, urged caution regarding Archer’s return during the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. He suggested that expectations should be balanced, stating, “He will bring a fresh energy, and I expect him to bowl well initially. However, the real challenge is maintaining that performance over time.”
