Jofra Archer could return for second Test against India: England national selector Wright

England's Luke Wright hints at Jofra Archer's return for second Test against India after four-year absence.

England's national selector Luke Wright on Thursday (June 5, 2025) said star pacer Jofra Archer could return for the team's second Test against India next month, four years after his last appearance in the traditional format.

The second Test of the five-match series is scheduled to be held from July 2-6 at Edgbaston.

Archer, 30, has not played first-class cricket since 2021 due to a series of injuries, and was not considered for selection for the first Test at Headingley as he works his way back from a broken thumb suffered at the recently-concluded Indian Premier League.

"Joff's trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him, he's playing a few second-team games," Wright said.

"The plan is for him to play a few second team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test.

"So, he'll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then if all things go well fingers crossed he should be available for the second Test," Wright, a former teammate of Archer at Sussex, added.

"Like anything with all these bowlers, he's got to keep ticking things off everyday with no setbacks but if all goes well and he gets through that Durham game then he's available potentially for selection for that second Test."