[WATCH] Jofra Archer makes first-class return, eyes Test comeback against India

England’s ace pacer Jofra Archer has made a long-awaited return to first-class cricket with Sussex. After four years, Archer made an impressive comeback against Durham, triggering hopes of a potential recall for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham starting July 2.

The 30-year-old who last played a Test match in February 2021 against India suffered a series of injuries, including a right elbow and, more recently, his thumb, keeping him out of the longer format. However, he has managed to feature in shorter formats, including the 2025 IPL season playing for the Rajasthan Royals.

In the current County Championship match at Chester-le-Street, Archer hammered a 31. His knock, laced with three fours and a six, saw him stitch a 57-run ninth-wicket partnership with James Coles, who went on to score an unbeaten 117. Initially not included in Sussex’s official squad announcement, Archer was later confirmed by England selector Luke Wright, clarifying the omission as an administrative error.

Check the video of Jofra Archer’s red-ball comeback here

Ben Stokes opens up on Archer’s return

Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes, speaking ahead of the first Test at Headingley, confirmed Archer’s desire to don the whites again. Stokes also revealed that Archer had personally reached out before the one-off Test against Zimbabwe

“He’s been absolutely desperate to put the white shirt back on. Out of the blue, he’d sometimes text me saying, ‘Zim?’ – as in, ‘Am I in for Zimbabwe?’ I had to tell him, ‘Let’s just hold it there. I know you’re feeling good, but we don’t want to rush it,” Stokes had said in the pre-match press conference for the Headingley Test.

Archer’s potential return couldn’t come at a better time. England’s pace battery looked underwhelming in the first Test, where India hammered a 471-run first-innings total. With Mark Wood still recovering from knee surgery, England are short of an experienced pacer in their bowling line-up. The Barbados-born has featured in 13 matches so far and picked 42 wickets at an economy of 2.99.