McCullum Confirms Archer's Desire for Test Cricket
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Synopsis
England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, has stated that Jofra Archer is eager to return to Test cricket, despite his recent injury struggles. Archer, who last played in 2021, is looking forward to participating in the upcoming season. McCullum believes Archer’s inclusion would strengthen the fast bowling lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Jofra Archer is enthusiastic about returning to Test cricket.
- He has faced injury challenges since 2021 but is now injury-free.
- Archer has a track record of 42 Test wickets since his debut.
- He has been actively participating in various international tournaments.
- McCullum is optimistic about Archer's potential contribution to the team.
Karachi, March 2 (NationPress) - The head coach of England, Brendon McCullum, has expressed that fast bowler Jofra Archer is enthusiastic about making a return to Test cricket for his nation in the upcoming season. The 29-year-old has faced challenges due to a persistent stress fracture in his elbow along with a back stress fracture since his last Test match in 2021.
Since debuting in the 2019 Ashes, Archer has claimed 42 Test wickets. He made his return to international cricket in March 2023 during England's ODI series against Bangladesh but faced elbow discomfort, which kept him away from the sport until May 2024.
McCullum stated, “We have to ensure we are always prioritizing Jof's wellbeing and comprehending the associated risks, but I am quite confident he is eager to participate in Test cricket.”
He added, “Incorporating him into the lineup of fast bowlers we are developing would only enhance the team. Overall, I am thrilled with Jof's current status and it's fantastic to see him back on the field and injury-free.”
When asked if Archer might play Test matches this summer, McCullum responded, “I believe so; we will see. I will speak with some of the players after this (the Champions Trophy) and determine their goals. I would expect Jof to be eager to play Test cricket this summer.”
Since his return, Archer has participated in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the home series against Australia, and tours in the West Indies, India, and recently the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He took seven wickets in six of England's eight matches in India before adding six wickets across three Champions Trophy games.
McCullum remarked, “Jofra has been away from competitive cricket for a couple of years, so it has taken some time to regain his gameplay rhythm, but I think he has performed admirably.”
“He has bowled at high speed, engaged in a lot of cricket, and managed to accumulate a significant workload during this tournament (the Champions Trophy).”
He continued, “We have witnessed glimpses of Jof's brilliance, particularly when he took a couple of wickets the other night against Afghanistan, including three with the new ball.”
England's upcoming Test match is a standalone game against Zimbabwe on May 22, which coincides with the final phases of IPL 2025, where Archer is expected to play for the Rajasthan Royals.
This will be followed by a five-Test series against India and the Ashes series in Australia commencing in November.
