Courtesy: Google/ECB
Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels Jofra Archer shouldn’t act with a haste to include the pacer in England’s playing XI against India to be played at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground from July 2 to 6. Archer’s last appearance in red-ball cricket happened in February 2021 against India in Ahmedabad. Recently, the speedster made a comeback in first-class cricket after four years with his appearance for Sussex against Durham at Chester-le-Street. England selector Luke Wright gave a statement earlier this month that if Archer plays a four-day match successfully, the pacer might be inducted in England’s playing XI against India in the second Test.
However, Vaughan believes Archer should be given another four-day match and he shouldn’t be rushed back to play the second match. "The good thing is that Jofra is back in the equation -but I'd like to see him play another four-day game. He's not played the longer format for four years so why, on the back of one game for Sussex against Durham, would you rush him back? We know the intensity at Test-match level is so different to county cricket. Let him play another four-day game,” remarked Vaughan in a conversation with BBC.
Jofra Archer’s Test numbers after debuting in 2019 vs Australia
Jofra Archer played 13 Tests from 2019 to 2021 and during this period, he bagged 42 wickets in 24 innings. Playing his debut red-ball series against Australia in the Ashes 2019, he looked impressive with the ball and ended up as the third-leading wicket-taker in the series. He bagged 22 wickets in eight innings of four matches.
His record is stunning in English conditions. He has claimed 30 wickets in 16 innings of eight contests with a couple of five-wicket hauls. If Archer makes a comeback in the English team, Team India batters have to be geared up for the stiff challenge.
