England fast bowler Jofra Archer did not attend the team’s training session at Edgbaston on Monday, June 30, due to a family emergency. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the 30-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad on Tuesday, ahead of the second Test against India, which begins on Wednesday in Birmingham. Archer, who last played a Test in February 2021, was a surprise inclusion in England’s squad for the ongoing five-match series. His selection came on the back of a return to red-ball cricket, where he bowled 18 overs and claimed a wicket in a four-day County Championship match for Sussex against Durham a few days back. While the numbers may not have stood out, his pace and rhythm caught the attention of selectors and fans alike, with several clips of his comeback spell going viral on social media. Having battled recurring elbow issues and a stress fracture in the back over the past few years, Archer’s potential return to Test cricket has been a major talking point in English cricket circles.
His inclusion adds a potent edge to an already confident England side, which leads the series 1-0 after a thrilling comeback win at Headingley, where Ben Duckett and debutant Jamie Smith starred in a dramatic fourth-innings chase.
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Do you think Jofra Archer’s absence from training will affect his performance in the second Test?
With conditions at Edgbaston expected to assist seamers, Archer’s presence could have posed a fresh challenge to the Indian batting unit. However, with the playing XI for the 2nd Test announced, Archer will have to wait until at least the 3rd Test to mark his comeback in Tests for England.
