Nearly a day before England named their squad for the second Test against India, former international Stuart Broad and England star Jos Buttler strongly advocated for Jofra Archer’s inclusion. Archer, who last played a Test match in February 2021, is now in line to make a sensational comeback at Edgbaston after being named in the squad on Thursday for the second Test at Edgbaston. Speaking on their YouTube podcast ‘For The Love of Cricket‘, Broad said, “He (Jofra Archer) played for Sussex this week, has taken a couple of wickets and looks like he’s building up. And all the rumors and talk around the press box is he comes in at Edgbaston and he plays.” Archer recently turned out for Sussex in a first-class fixture against Durham, marking his return to red-ball cricket after four years. While he picked up just one wicket, his rhythm and fitness have been encouraging signs for England’s management. Clips of his sensational return have also gone viral on social media. Buttler, too, was optimistic of Archer’s chances to make the squad.“Hopefully he’ll come through that game. He’s playing up at Chester-le-Street unscathed. Looks like he’s bowling well and he’s actually put together a real bank of cricket,”
He also noted the importance of Ben Stokes being available as a bowler, which could help manage Archer’s workload. “And one of the big things for Jofra’s workload that will help him I think is obviously Ben Stokes playing a fully fit part, you know, as that fourth seamer. Even if they don’t pick him to play, it would just be fantastic to have him back around the group,” added the Gujarat Titans player. Broad went a step further, backing Archer to start, saying “Yeah, I think I play him, you know, I think if it was my decision, I’d play him… He’s got a bouncer that makes everyone jump. So I’d be really, I’d be tempted to play him and I think every England fan would be buzzing if you saw Jofra Archer’s name on that team sheet.”
Poll
Should Jofra Archer start in the second Test against India?
With England taking a 1-0 lead after a stirring run-chase in Leeds led by Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith, Archer’s fiery pace could pose fresh questions for the Indian batting line-up in Birmingham.