Brendon McCullum is eager to have Jofra Archer make a return to Test cricket this summer, keeping in mind the "risks involved" with England’s fast bowler known for his frequent injuries.
It’s now over four years since Archer last hit the Test cricket field, with persistent elbow and back issues halting his progress since his explosive debut in 2019.
His recent comeback has been handled with caution, starting off with T20s and then moving to ODIs. The plan is for him to take on India at home and Australia away in major Test series over the next year.
Archer is eyeing a stint in the Indian Premier League following England’s early exit from the Champions Trophy. McCullum, however, hopes to see Archer donning the whites for a significant five-match series against India.
Managing Jofra
“We all know just how exceptional Jofra is when he’s at his peak, so having him back fit and raring to play is a huge win for English cricket,” mentioned England head coach McCullum.
“We need to ensure we’re taking care of Jof and being mindful of the demands involved, but I believe he’s quite excited about the prospect of playing Test cricket.”
“Bringing him into our lineup of fast bowlers could really bolster our squad.”
“I plan to chat with some of the players and discuss their goals. I reckon Jof would love to play Test cricket this summer.”
Last Outing
Archer recently impressed with two wickets for 55 runs during England’s seven-wicket loss to South Africa in Karachi on Saturday. This marked a disappointing end for Jos Buttler’s white-ball captaincy due to a seventh ODI defeat in a row.
The majority of Archer’s six wickets came during the initial 10-over powerplay, showcasing his effectiveness with the new ball. While he wasn’t as impactful during his second and third bowling sessions, his participation in nine out of eleven games over the winter, only missing two due to a hand injury, is a promising step forward.
“Jofra’s been out of competitive cricket for some time, so naturally it takes a while to regain that match rhythm, but he’s performed admirably,” McCullum noted.
“He’s delivered high-speed bowling, been involved in plenty of games, and has achieved a significant workload in this tournament. We’ve definitely seen glimpses of Jof’s brilliance.”
“In all, I’m very satisfied with Jof’s progress. It’s fantastic to have him back on the field and currently injury-free.”
Feel free to read more about Brendon McCullum’s approach to solving the captaincy issue.
