[WATCH] Jofra Archer makes first-class return, eyes Test comeback against India

England’s ace pacer Jofra Archer has made a long-awaited return to first-class cricket with Sussex. After 4 years, Archer made a powerful comeback in opposition to Durham, triggering hopes of a possible recall for the second Check in opposition to India at Edgbaston, Birmingham beginning July 2.

The 30-year-old who final performed a Check match in February 2021 in opposition to India suffered a collection of accidents, together with a proper elbow and, extra lately, his thumb, maintaining him out of the longer format. Nevertheless, he has managed to characteristic in shorter codecs, together with the 2025 IPL season enjoying for the Rajasthan Royals.

Within the present County Championship match at Chester-le-Road, Archer hammered a 31. His knock, laced with three fours and a six, noticed him sew a 57-run ninth-wicket partnership with James Coles, who went on to attain an unbeaten 117. Initially not included in Sussex’s official squad announcement, Archer was later confirmed by England selector Luke Wright, clarifying the omission as an administrative error.

Test the video of Jofra Archer’s red-ball comeback right here

Ben Stokes opens up on Archer’s return

In the meantime, England captain Ben Stokes, talking forward of the primary Check at Headingley, confirmed Archer’s want to don the whites once more. Stokes additionally revealed that Archer had personally reached out earlier than the one-off Check in opposition to Zimbabwe

“He is been completely determined to place the white shirt again on. Out of the blue, he’d generally textual content me saying, ‘Zim?’ – as in, ‘Am I in for Zimbabwe?’ I needed to inform him, ‘Let’s simply maintain it there. I do know you are feeling good, however we do not wish to rush it,” Stokes had stated within the pre-match press convention for the Headingley Check.

Archer’s potential return couldn’t come at a greater time. England’s tempo battery regarded underwhelming within the first Check, the place India hammered a 471-run first-innings complete. With Mark Wooden nonetheless recovering from knee surgical procedure, England are wanting an skilled pacer of their bowling line-up. The Barbados-born has featured in 13 matches up to now and picked 42 wickets at an financial system of two.99.

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