Jofra Archer Makes Comeback Into England Test Team After 4 Years, Picked For 2nd Test vs India

Birmingham (England) June 26: The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced the squad for the second Test match against India at Edgbaston, as it has recalled Jofra Archer back into the squad. The premier pacer, who has dealt with several fitness issues in recent times, returned to the England Test set-up for the first time since February 2021. After winning the first Test, England decided to strengthen their bowling attack by recalling Archer as India scored five individual centuries in the match.

The ECB stuck with the 14 players from the opening Test and just made an addition to include Archer in the squad. The second Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be played from July 2, 2025.

Archer last featured for England in March during an ODI against South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He recently made his return to first-class cricket after four years, turning out for Sussex against Durham and picking up one wicket in the match. In his Test career so far, Archer has claimed 42 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 31.

England selector Luke Wright mentioned earlier this month that Jofra Archer could be in contention for the second Test against India next month, provided he gets some game time with Sussex. Captain Ben Stokes also revealed that the 30-year-old is eager to make his return to Test cricket.

Meanwhile, England pulled off a successful run chase on the final day, powered by Ben Duckett’s superb 149 and valuable knocks from Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith. The hosts reached the 371-run target in 82 overs, finishing at 373/5 to seal a five-wicket victory. This was England’s second-highest fourth-innings run-chase, just behind the 378-3 they managed also against India at Edgbaston not long after Stokes and McCullum joined forces as captain and coach.