Jofra Archer selection ahead of second India Test a ‘gamble’ for England, says Nasser Hussain | Cricket News

Jofra Archer’s inclusion in the England squad for the second Test against India is a “gamble”, says former captain Nasser Hussain.

Archer has been recalled to the England set up after a litany of injuries kept him out of the Test squad for the last four years.

He only came back to first-class cricket on Sunday when he played for Sussex and has now been selected as part of the England squad for the second Test starting on Wednesday at Edgbaston, live on Sky Sports from 10am (first ball 11am).

Former England captain Hussain told Sky Sports News: “Firstly you have to say it’s good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it’s great to see him back in the squad, he hasn’t played a Test match for four years.

“Fundamentally if you’re an England fan you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad.”

But Hussain cautioned that his selection for the second Test is dangerous. “I think it’s too much of a risk this week but it may have gone so well – I don’t know Jofra Archer’s body – it may have gone so well that they say ‘we’ll play you this week’. Then the problem is who do you leave out?” he said.

“I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don’t know if it’s worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord’s.

“He’s only just made his first-class comeback for Sussex for four years this week where he bowled 18 overs. When Archer’s fully fit he is one of the best in the world. He is absolutely box office, he has that raw pace. But unfortunately for him he hasn’t been fully fit for a very long time. So it is a gamble.”

He explained the factors under consideration. “They could have made three decisions with him. Leave him at Sussex to play another County Championship game, I think they play Sunday at Warwickshire and then pick him for Lord’s for the next Test. The problem with that is then he’ll have played three games in three weeks, that Lord’s Test his third having not played for four years,” Hussain said.

“Another option is to pick him and play him, which they may well do at Edgbaston. Or pick him in squad, get some overs into his legs every morning, every lunchtime, every tea after play and have a look how he is.

“What is the hurry when we’ve waited so long? Why not wait another week just to make sure? Obviously they’ve got one eye on the future as well. It’s not just about Edgbaston and Lord’s and this series. We know what’s coming up next and they would love to have Archer involved Down Under.

“Bowling fast is hard work and it is a risk. It’s a risk they’re willing to take and I think they have to take before the winter, they have to find out can Jofra get through maybe two of these next four Test matches.”

The right call?

Another former captain, David Gower thought Archer was being rushed.

Gower told Sky Sports News: “You’ve got to face the facts that he’s been injured, he’s been operated on, the elbow has been troublesome. He’s played one game for Sussex and when you’ve had a fellow with that sort of injury history, in my book, you need to watch him or see him play three or four games maybe for Sussex and see how he’s getting on to make sure that the fitness levels are where they should be, that there’s no reaction to bowling 20 odd overs a day.

“There’s also the adage that you don’t have to change a winning side,” Gower added. “I wouldn’t be rushing Jofra in at this stage.”

A first-hand chance to see Archer’s progress

Sky Sports’ Adam Williams:

While Jofra Archer has been added to the original 14-player squad for the first Test at Headingley, his inclusion doesn’t necessarily point to an immediate return to the side that will take the field at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

This could be more of a collective decision from England’s management of director of men’s cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum, selector Luke Wright and captain Ben Stokes to get Archer back ‘in and around the group’ as the sporting cliché goes.

There will be no substitute for seeing how he is shaping up with their own eyes and how his body is feeling after his first red ball fixture in more than four years saw him complete 18 overs across three spells for county Sussex against Durham, taking 1-32.

One thing for sure is we’ll likely know some way out from the first ball at Edgbaston if he is selected to make his first Test appearance since February 2021 such is England’s trend for naming their side early, normally two days out from the start.

What may happen is England get the right-arm quick into the nets and into training for a couple of days before potentially releasing him and Jacob Bethell to face each other in the County Championship at Hove as Sussex play Warwickshire, starting on Sunday.

That would give Archer the chance to get more overs in his legs, more time out in the field getting used to the rigours of first-class cricket and more chances to see how his body recovers and feels coming back on day two, three or four of a first-class match.

If he comes through that unscathed, he will almost definitely play a part in this five-Test series against India but pace trio Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue more than merit being given the chance to keep their places after England’s impressive win at Headingley.

England vs India Test series ☀️

All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports

First Test: England won by five wickets – HeadingleySecond Test: Wednesday July 2 – Sunday July 6 – EdgbastonThird Test: Thursday July 10 – Monday July 14 – Lord’sFourth Test: Wednesday July 23 – Sunday July 27 – Emirates Old TraffordFifth Test: Thursday July 31 – Monday August 4 – The Kia Oval