Jofra Archer is desperate to get back in Test shirt for England: Ben Stokes

James Anderson bid adieu to international cricket after the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s and it has left England to call up Mark Wook as a replacement for the remaining two Tests. But the English side still lack their lethal pacer in the form of Jofra Archers, known for his sheer pace. Ahead of the second Test at the Nottinghamshire, Ben Stokes revealed that the right-arm pacer is desperate to make a comeback to the red-ball cricket.

Archer was out of action for almost 438 days before he was inducted into the team for a T20I series against Pakistan in May. He eventually played in the T20 World Cup 2024 but failed to reap rewards in his usual way. The Test cricket however seems a farfetched dream for the 29-year-old as his career has been marred by a series of injuries. With England lacking an experienced speedster, Stokes' comment has triggered the speculation.

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"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,” said Stokes as quoted by The Telegraph.

"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.

Gus Atkinson stars with the balls for England

England are leading the three-Test match series by 1-0 and entered the second Test in Nottinghamshire on fine momentum having won the first with an innings and 114 runs. Gus Atkinson dazzled with the ball for the hosts as he plucked seven wickets in the first innings and picked up a five-wicket haul in the second. It is worth noting that the pacer played his debut Test match for England along with Jamie Smith.