Jofra Archer in England’s second Test vs. competition with India Mark Wood on Longer Road to Recovery | Cricket News

England National Selector Luke Wright says Jofra Archer can return for England’s second Test against India.

Archer suffered a thumb injury from May 29th to June 3rd when he saw the Miss England ODI series with the West Indies.

He was also omitted from the England Lions’ first 15-player group of Red Ball Games against India A from June 6th and was not named to the team for England’s opening test against India.

Paceman has not played first class matches in four years, and has released the latest in 13 Test appearances in India in February 2021, with England returning to the international game through white ball cricket after an injured horror run.

However, they are keen to form part of the battery of the pace bowlers they will take to Australia this winter, as they are trying to acquire ashes overseas for the first time since 2010/11.

That return now appears potentially on the horizon. Archer hopes to be “available” in the second test, which will take place on Edgbaston from Wednesday, July 2nd to July 6th. Sky Sports.

“The truth is, Joff really does work. His plan is, he’s playing some second-team games,” Wright said.

“He’s got some roads in Sussex’s second team, and the idea for him is to play Durham in Sussex. I’m thinking on the 23rd during the first test.

“So he plays for Sussex if everything goes well, and if things go well, if your fingers cross, he should be available for the second Test.

“What is that like with all these bowlers? He has to keep ticking every day and not breaking the set.

“But if everything goes wrong and he passes that Durham game, he will potentially be available for selection for that second test.”

Wood potentially targeting “Test 4 or 5”

Mark Wood has been one of England’s long-term injuries issues after suffering a knee injury in March, leaving him out for four months.

The injury was defeated by Afghanistan in Lahore after “suffering from increased stiffness and discomfort” in England’s ICC Champions Trophy group stage defeat.

Now Wood is beginning to return to light training and is looking for a comeback later in the Test series if his recovery continues on the same track.

“To be honest, I think Woody has now started bowling lightly. He’s just off the pace of some, but that was a great sign,” Wright added.

“So he’s on the path to recovery. I think he’s going to be longer. If we can get him back, he might have a fourth or fifth test option.

“But he’s tracking just as well as Stony. So we’re starting to get the boys back, but they’re farther apart than they are now. But they’re backing those options too.”