Jofra Archer Set for Test Comeback as England Name Squad for Edgbaston

Jofra Archer is back in the England Test squad for the first time in over four years and could be in line for a long-awaited return when England take on India at Edgbaston next week.

The fast bowler, who’s had a torrid run with injuries since 2021, has been drafted back in after England clinched a thrilling win in the first Test. With India piling up five individual centuries in that game, England have opted to beef up their bowling options — and Archer’s return is the headline move. 

Archer last played a Test in February 2021 during the tour of India, and has since been sidelined with persistent elbow issues followed by a back stress fracture. His most recent appearance for England came in an ODI against South Africa during the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan earlier this year. Recently, he eased back into red-ball cricket by turning out for Sussex against Durham, where he picked up a wicket — and more importantly, got through his overs unscathed. 

Selector Luke Wright had hinted earlier this month that Archer would be in the mix for the second Test, provided he got some game time under his belt. Skipper Ben Stokes also confirmed Archer has been pushing hard to return to the longest format. Now, he's officially back in the mix. The 30-year-old joins an already packed pace group, with six seamers vying for spots — Jamie Overton and Sam Cook have kept their places, while Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue complete the pace attack. Tongue stood out at Headingley, grabbing 7 wickets across both innings, while Stokes chipped in with five and Carse claimed four. Woakes, who returned to Test cricket after a long layoff, didn’t make much of an impact with figures of 1 for 148, but he’s expected to find his groove now that he’s shaken off the rust from an ankle injury. 

With the second and third Tests coming in quick succession — at Edgbaston and then Lord’s — England are likely to rotate their bowlers. And with Archer fit again and hungry to play, fans could well see him steaming in with the red ball for the first time since that frustrating injury run began. In 13 Tests so far, Archer has picked up 42 wickets at an average of 31 — and England will be hoping he can add a few more to that tally next week.