It’s not every day you see Jofra Archer back in whites, let alone steaming in with fire in his belly. After years of battling elbow and back injuries, the England pacer made a thunderous return to Test cricket, grabbing headlines and wickets alike. But should he be risked again so soon? According to Stuart Broad, the answer is a firm no.
Archer’s Electrifying Comeback
Jofra Archer’s comeback story reads like a script straight out of a sports drama. After more than four years away from Test cricket, he returned in the third Test against India and made an instant impact.
In only his third ball back, he sent Yashasvi Jaiswal packing. By the end of the match, he had bagged a five-for, helping England clinch a thrilling win at Lord’s.
His second-innings spell was especially electric, removing Jaiswal again, along with the dangerous Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. Archer wasn’t just back, he was roaring.
The Fourth Test Took Its Toll
Naturally, Jofra Archer was eager to keep the momentum going. He expressed his desire to play the remaining two Tests, determined to help England turn the series around.
And he did play the fourth match, putting in another solid shift. Though he picked up four wickets, his body seemed to be telling a different story. Archer looked visibly uncomfortable during the second innings, struggling through niggles as India piled on the runs.
It was a tough sight for fans, and a worrying one for those who’ve followed his injury-riddled journey.
Broad’s Take: Time to Be Smart
This is where Stuart Broad stepped in with a dose of realism.
“We can’t not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years,” Broad said.
He’s got a point. Instead of risking Archer in the final Test, Broad believes Gus Atkinson should get the nod. His argument? Atkinson hasn’t really been tested against high-quality opposition in Tests, and this is a golden opportunity to see what he’s made of.
“I think Gus Atkinson has to play. I know he has not had any workload, but we need to see him. He hasn’t been really challenged against top-level opposition in Test cricket yet,” he added.
Broad also pointed out that Brydon Carse looked “knackered” in the fourth Test, and that Josh Tongue, who played earlier in the series, could be a more natural replacement for Archer if pace is what England want.
Managing Jofra Archer with Caution
Broad’s suggestion isn’t about sidelining Archer, it’s about preserving him. The England setup knows just how precious a fully fit Jofra Archer can be. He brings pace, aggression and a spark that’s hard to replicate.
But rushing him back into back-to-back games after years out could be a dangerous gamble. Resting him now might mean having him firing in future series, something England desperately need, especially with a packed cricket calendar ahead.
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