Jofra Archer sets sight on Test return with Ashes 2025-26

Ace England pacer Jofra Archer is aiming for Test cricket return during the upcoming Ashes in Australia. After spending close to 18 months on the sidelines, the 29-year-old made his return during the SA20 2023. He represented Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 but during the tournament, he picked up an elbow injury, which ruled him out of the Ashes 2023 and ODI World Cup.

He recently made his international comeback ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, a return to red-ball is still far away. England’s managing director Rob Key recently stated that team management is not looking to rush him back into Test cricket and wants him to recover well before coming back to the longest format.

Talking about his Test return, Archer stated that he is tired of seeing posts on Instagram about his injury and is looking forward to using the rest of the year to recover well to be ready for Ashes 2025-26.

“I am going to use the rest of this year to make sure that (playing in the next Ashes) is at least a possibility. I’m tired of going on Instagram and seeing posts saying ‘he’s going to be on the physio’s bed in the next two weeks’ and stuff like that. I want to spend the rest of the year proving some people wrong and hopefully play in another Ashes,” Archer said to BBC Sport.

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Key meanwhile expects Archer to make his Test comeback during the India series in 2025. The Rohit Sharma-led side will travel to England for a five-match series in the next summer and as per Key, that will be the ideal time for him to return to red-ball cricket. Archer meanwhile stated that he will be playing a few games in the Championship to monitor his fitness and will also be keeping a tab on the workload management before returning.

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“I will manage myself as best as possible and get myself (through) until at least maybe, the start of the Championship next year. I’ll probably play a few of those (games) and keep building up and getting that workload ready for Test cricket. I am feeling good and want to get some games in. I am going to enjoy this little phase of some white-ball cricket,” he said.