England have named the fast bowler in the squad for the Edgbaston Test against India.
Jofra Archer is finally on the verge of tasting Test cricket again after a long absence. “England have included the fast bowler in the squad for the second Test against India.” It’s a huge opportunity for Archer to represent his country in whites once more—more than four years since he last did so.
The second match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will begin next Wednesday at Edgbaston. After their impressive run chase at Headingley, England lead the five-match Test series 1-0.
Archer’s last Test appearance came in February 2021, against India in Ahmedabad. That May, he played his last first-class match—turning out for Sussex against Kent.
Since then, it’s been a series of injuries. He’s battled elbow problems, back issues, and undergone multiple surgeries. Occasionally, he managed to play a few white-ball games for England—just seven limited-overs matches between March 2021 and May 2024.
Lately, he has featured more regularly in white-ball squads. But returning to red-ball cricket required a much longer wait. That wait finally ended this past Sunday.
Playing for Sussex in a County Championship Division One match against Durham, Archer made his red-ball return. Batting at No. 10 on the first day, he scored a handy 31 runs. On the second day, he also picked up a wicket—dismissing Durham opener Emilio Gay for 34.
He bowled in just one innings during the drawn match, finishing with figures of 1 for 32 from 18 overs.
England’s selectors were also eagerly awaiting Archer’s return to the red-ball format. National selector and former all-rounder Luke Wright had previously stated that they hoped to have Archer ready for the second Test against India.
“And they’ve stuck to their word. Archer has proved his fitness for Test cricket, and England have brought him into the squad.”
Archer is the only change from the side that played in the first Test. Alongside him, the squad includes pace options like Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue, and Chris Woakes—plus pace-bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes.
England squad for the 2nd Test vs India
Ben Stokes (capt), 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.
