How Did Archer's Dedication Lead to His Return to Test Cricket?

Birmingham, June 30 (NationPress) As England prepares to take on India in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston, seasoned England pacer Chris Woakes has praised Jofra Archer for his relentless commitment and effort, which has positioned him to potentially return to Test cricket.

Archer last featured in Test matches for England in February 2021 and faced a string of elbow and back injuries that kept him sidelined from red-ball cricket. Recently, he made his comeback in first-class cricket, claiming 1-32 in 18 overs for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship, leading to his inclusion in England’s squad for the upcoming Test at Edgbaston.

“It’s fantastic. I mean, it's truly wonderful for Jofra and for our team. His return is a significant boost. When Jof's around, he contributes greatly to the group—not only as a player but also as a person and a character. He’s endured a challenging path over the past few years due to injuries, and it’s a testament to his hard work that he is now in a position to potentially play Test cricket again,” said Woakes.

“But, more than anything, it’s a joy for him, given how difficult it is to endure long injury spells. I may not have experienced the same lengthy layoffs that he has, but I understand that even minor injuries can be mentally taxing,” Woakes added.

“So, full credit to him for getting back to where he is now, earning another chance to play for England. It’s excellent for us, him, and certainly for the England fans who are eager to see him back in whites,” Woakes remarked during a press briefing on Monday.

While Woakes did not confirm Archer's participation at Edgbaston, he expressed optimism about his fellow pacer’s potential in the longer format. “No, I think his best days might still be ahead of him. He appears to be in great physical shape. I’m sure he’s eager to get back out there and show everyone what he can do in Test matches,” he shared.

“We’re all aware of his capabilities, and at his age, his prime could still be on the horizon, which is exciting for him and for us. Whenever he does return—be it this week, next week, or whenever—it’ll be fantastic to have him back, and undoubtedly great for the fans too,” Woakes commented.

In England's five-wicket victory at Headingley, Woakes claimed just one wicket but made a vital contribution with a score of 38 in the first innings, which helped the team close the gap against India.

“I feel I’m on the verge of something good. The initial days at Headingley were tough for the bowlers; it was hot, and the batting surface was quite good. However, I believe we all persevered well. I think I improved as the match progressed. My body felt good,” he noted.

“It’s always a relief to finish a Test match without any injuries. So, it was beneficial to get out there and for the team to secure a win. It was a significant week for us. Personally, I felt I bowled better in the second innings, and my body felt great, which is a real advantage,” he stated.

Edgbaston serves as Woakes’ home ground, where he has taken three wickets in each of his three Test appearances against Australia, the West Indies, and Pakistan. He concluded with an optimistic note, hoping his experience would allow him to perform better across all facets of the game.

“You certainly hope so. You’d like to think that, considering I’ve played a lot of cricket here, I generally understand the pitches and conditions. However, whenever you start on a new surface, adapting and assessing the conditions is crucial. Hopefully, the experience I’ve gained over the years here will serve me well in this Test match,” Woakes added.