To alleviate concerns about Jofra Archer鈥檚 readiness for Test cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board director Rob Key mentioned that the pacer could have been brought back earlier but was instead given time to gradually build up to the demands of the longest format of the game.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan and Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace have advised against rushing Archer back for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, despite his recent return to red-ball cricket.
The injury-prone bowler hasn鈥檛 played a Test since 2021 and was recently included in the England squad for the second Test after participating in a four-day County game for Sussex, where he bowled 18 overs against Durham and took a wicket.
鈥淚 think we鈥檝e gone slower than we could have done,鈥 Key stated, as reported by The Guardian.
鈥淛ofra has been in a long period where he鈥檚 been building up (in white-ball cricket). The temptation could have been to rush him back sooner. But actually, we鈥檝e taken this approach to ensure we are now in a position to consider playing him,鈥 he added.
Despite their victory over India in the opening Test at Headingley, England鈥檚 pace attack lacked impact.
Archer, who has been one of the most successful bowlers in the IPL this season, could provide the necessary edge to the England attack if included in the playing XI.
鈥淗e could be one of the best bowlers we have had. And you only achieve that by performing in Test cricket. Hopefully, in the coming years, we鈥檒l see Jofra have the chance to stake that claim,鈥 Key added.
Key also noted that England skipper Ben Stokes would know best how to use Archer effectively while managing his injury-prone body.
鈥淭hese are impact players. You don鈥檛 want them doing other roles. You need complementary skills to share the workload. The temptation with Jofra is that he can do a bit of everything.
鈥淏ut you have to use him when he can impact the game, and Ben (Stokes) is one of the best at that. You must be smart in how you use them to help you win a game,鈥 said Key.
Regarding Mark Wood, who hasn鈥檛 played since undergoing knee surgery earlier this year, Key was optimistic about the pacer鈥檚 return but did not provide a specific timeline. Reports indicate that Wood could play in the fifth and final Test against India at the end of July.
鈥淲ood can turn up after some net practice, like he did in 2023, and bowl at 96mph, swinging the ball and hitting a length. We are fortunate that he can hit his straps right from the start.
鈥淛ofra is close to Mark Wood鈥檚 level: a pure talent, with a simple action. He knows exactly what he is doing and his capabilities.鈥