Jofra Archer is “desperate” to join Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson in an England attack of all-out pace to take on Australia down under next winter, according to Ben Stokes. Ben Stokes is relishing the opportunity to pair Wood and Atkinson – who took 12 wickets on debut at Lord’s last week – in a Test attack for the first time, at Trent Bridge against West Indies on Thursday, and says England will patiently plot Jofra Archer’s route to join them next year.
Ben Stokes is keen to add more pace to England’s attack as they build towards the Ashes, with the likes of Josh Tongue, Olly Stone and John Turner also on the radar. England’s skipper Ben Stoke has stood squarely behind the paceman whose playing time is being carefully monitored as he battles to overcome a niggling elbow complaint. As Ben Stokes warmed to his current theme of planning to wrestle the little Urn from the old enemy next winter, he said there was no immediate rush to get his spearhead back in the fold.
Jofra Archer topsy turvy career in international career .
One of the biggest assets for England is the return of Jofra Archer. The 29-year-old’s career until now has been plagued by injuries; he made his return to the T20 World Cup after overcoming an elbow injury that kept him out for almost a year. In his return for the Three Lions, Jofra Archer took ten scalps across eight matches. However, despite his return, he is missing out on the series as England management has decided to stick with their cautious and steady approach to introducing him back into the red-ball set-up.
Jofra Archer starred for England at the recent T20 World Cup, picking up ten wickets at an average of 19 as Jos Buttler’s side were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners India. However, England have said he will not make his Test return until 2025. England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated Jofra Archer’s unbridled desire to wear the white jersey again for the national team.
Ben Stokes speaks about speed sensational Jofra Archer’s urge to get back into test cricket ahead of 2nd test vs WI
England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated Jofra Archer’s unbridled desire to wear the white jersey again for the national team. However, he understands the need not to risk the pacer at this stage. Jofra Archer had a sensational debut Test series, taking 22 scalps in four matches during the 2019 Ashes. However, the right-arm speedster hasn’t played in the format since 2021 and returned to international cricket this year after a lengthy hiatus due to injuries.
Ahead of the second Test against the West Indies, Ben Stokes said he was glad to see Archer back in action in the recent T20 World Cup. However, he doesn’t want to be ‘giddy’ and rush the fast bowler back in the longest format.
Stokes was quoted as saying by The Telegraph:
“I know that Jofra is desperate to get back in a Test shirt for England. He’s very passionate about playing for England and he’s still got a lot of passion to play Test cricket. But he’s been through a very, very tough few years. Watching him to play in the World Cup was obviously great. But I’m very close with Jofra, and it was just great to see him back out on the field.”
“It’s about not getting too giddy with it. If we don’t have him for a year, let’s say, but it prolongs his career for another two or three years, that’s what we are looking to do. We’re not looking to rush Jof back,” he added.
Jofra Archer was decent in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 7.22.
Ben Stokes on Chris Woakes and Mark Wood
With James Anderson and Stuart Broad retiring, Ben Stokes claimed that Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes will take the new ball in Nottingham against the West Indies.
The skipper lauded Atkinson for generating appreciable seam movement off the surface.
“Gus and Woakesy will take the new ball. I first saw Gus live in the World Cup in India. He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it is to do with the Dukes ball, how it has behaved. There has not actually been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It’s generally been off the surface, hitting the seam and Gus is a very good exponent of that,” Stokes said in the same interaction.
Atkinson enjoyed the perfect Test debut at Lord’s as he took 12 wickets to fashion England’s innings win against the Windies. England are currently 1-0 up in the series and will look to seal it in their next meeting. The second Test of the series will begin on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Both teams have announced the playing XI for the clash.