As the second Test between England and India at Edgbaston looms, the much-anticipated return of fast bowler Jofra Archer to England’s Test squad after a four-year hiatus has dominated discussions. While the prospect of Archer’s raw pace is exciting for many, former England captain Nasser Hussain has issued a clear warning, advising against rushing the speedster back into the playing XI for the upcoming match.
Archer’s last Test appearance was in February 2021, also against India. His career since has been plagued by severe elbow and back injuries, keeping him out of red-ball cricket for an extended period. His recent return to first-class action, where he bowled 18 overs for Sussex, led to his inclusion in England’s 15-member squad. However, Hussain believes the timing is premature.
Naseer Hussain’s reasons for excluding Jofra Archer
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain acknowledged the excitement surrounding Archer but questioned the rationale of playing him so soon after his lengthy layoff. “I think it’s too much of a risk this week,” Hussain stated, highlighting the uncertainty around Archer’s current physical state. He underscored the limited overs Archer has bowled since his first-class comeback, emphasizing that while a fully fit Archer is “one of the best in the world” and “box office,” his current fitness is a gamble.
“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 4 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. So it is a gamble,” added Hussain.
Hussain further queried the urgency to play Archer now, suggesting, “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.”
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Risks and rewards for England
England’s pace attack, featuring Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, performed commendably in the five-match series opener at Leeds, sharing 11 wickets, with Chris Woakes also contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Introducing Archer into this winning combination would necessitate a difficult decision on who to drop, potentially disrupting the team’s rhythm.
Hussain also stressed the critical need for workload management, especially with an eye on upcoming major series like the Ashes. Overburdening Archer too soon could jeopardize his long-term fitness, a scenario England has faced repeatedly in recent years.
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