Almost a day earlier than England named their squad for the second Check towards India, former worldwide Stuart Broad and England star Jos Buttler strongly advocated for Jofra Archer’s inclusion. Archer, who final performed a Check match in February 2021, is now in line to make a sensational comeback at Edgbaston after being named within the squad on Thursday for the second Check at Edgbaston. Talking on their YouTube podcast ‘For The Love of Cricket‘, Broad mentioned, “He (Jofra Archer) performed for Sussex this week, has taken a few wickets and appears like he is build up. And all of the rumors and speak across the press field is he is available in at Edgbaston and he performs.” 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,”
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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.”
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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.
