Jofra Archer ‘absolutely desperate' for England Test return, says Ben Stokes
England looked to have discovered a generational talent when the Barbados-born paceman burst on to the international scene in 2019, but he has been beset by a litany of injury problems and played the last of his 13 Tests in February 2021.
It is hoped he will make his first-class return for Sussex against Durham on Sunday, part of a plan that could see him restored to Stokes' squad at some point during a five-match series which begins at Headingley on Friday.
There has been an understandable sense of caution about Archer's latest rehabilitation, which was further delayed by a broken thumb, but the bowler himself has made his own intentions clear – at one stage floating a hurried return in last month's one-off game against Zimbabwe.
'He's been absolutely desperate to put the white shirt back on. Randomly, a couple of times, he would just send me a text saying, 'Zim?',' said Stokes.
'I was like, 'Let's just hold it there, all right. I know you're in a good spot right now, but let's not just rush into it'.
'He's obviously had a horrific time with injuries, but he's had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats.
'It's really exciting for England, but also more exciting for Jof that he's in a position now where we're able to have a plan in place and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.'
Having Archer back in the pace armoury would be a massive boost for England in the midst of a seven-month period that sees them take on their two biggest rivals over 10 eagerly-anticipated games.
Win against India in the coming weeks, then reclaim the Ashes Down Under and Stokes would go down as one of his country's greatest ever skippers, but he is not ready to think in those terms.
'There's always a different buzz coming up against India and Australia in particular, purely because of how big those series are,' he said.
'Away from the dressing room, we know what these series mean compared to other ones. We do understand that.
Hard work in the Headingley heat 🥵
Watch as the boys get set and ready for the first Test in Leeds 📺
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2025
'But defining a career as England captain isn't something that I sit there and really think about, honestly. If that's what I'm really bothered about, in my opinion it's just completely and utterly selfish and that ain't me.
'I don't tend to worry myself generally about what other people are going to say or think about what I've done as a captain at the end of it.
'I'd like to think that since I've done this role I've done it wholeheartedly and thrown everything I possibly have into doing it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Australia drop Labuschagne, rule out Smith for Windies opener
June 20 (Reuters) - Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for next week's first test against West Indies in Barbados with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis coming into the batting line-up for the erstwhile opener and Steve Smith, who is injured. Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22 to Australia's cause as the defending champions lost to South Africa by five wickets. Smith dislocated his finger while fielding at Lord's, leaving a vacancy at the top of the batting order for the first match in the three-test series in the Caribbean. "Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," head selector George Bailey said in a Cricket Australia statement. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling test careers." Both Konstas and Inglis have played two tests, the former opening the batting against India in Melbourne and Sydney last season and the latter batting in the middle order in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Bailey said Labuschagne's test career could be revived if he could rediscover the form that took him to the top of the world batting rankings in 2023. "Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," he said. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." The batting order for the first test, which starts next Wednesday, will be determined closer to the game, Cricket Australia said. Australia also face West Indies in tests in Grenada and Jamaica on the tour.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Australia drop Labuschagne for first West Indies Test
Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for their opening Test against the West Indies with Steve Smith also missing through their places, teenage opener Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis come in for the series opener in Barbados, which starts on 25 opened the batting for Australia in their World Test Championship final defeat by South Africa last week but finished with scores of 17 and 22 to continue his lean 30-year-old has not made a Test hundred since the fourth Ashes Test of 2023."Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," said selection chair George Bailey."We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively."Smith, meanwhile, dislocated his right little finger on day three of the final at Lord' he has avoided surgery and travelled to the Caribbean, he must wear a splint for up to eight weeks but could return for the second Test in Grenada in July."Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said."We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers."In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition."
Times
8 hours ago
- Times
Ben Stokes: It's no longer just about entertainment, it's about winning
Ben Stokes has signalled a change in England's Bazball approach to Test cricket, admitting that his team's main purpose is not to entertain but to win matches. Stokes has led the transformation of England's Test side alongside head coach Brendon McCullum since he was appointed captain three years ago, playing an exciting brand of cricket and previously stating: 'We're in the entertainment business.' Now, as he prepares to lead his team into a five-match series against India, the 34-year-old has struck a more considered note, admitting that while England's gung-ho approach is effective when they are on top, they need to get better at regaining control when things are not going their way. 'We have had time to talk as a group, identify areas where we know that we are incredibly strong, but also identify areas that we think we need to get better at,' Stokes told the BBC. 'One of those areas was adapting better when we're up against the wall.
