As England announced the squad for the first Test against India starting on 20 June, speedster Jofra Archer was among the major names missing from the squad as well. Having sustained a thumb injury, Archer didn’t play in England’s recent white-ball outings against West Indies, and he was excluded from a 15-member squad for the England Lions’ second unofficial Test against India A as well.
But recent developments show that Jofra Archer might be back in the squad soon, with England national selector Luke Wright claiming that the pacer is on course to make a return before the second Test against India, starting on 2 July in Birmingham as well.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Wright said, “Joff’s trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him, he’s playing a few second-team games. He’s getting a few loading up in the second team for Sussex, and then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham, I think on the 23rd, just during the first Test. So, he’ll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then if things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test.”
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On the other hand, another pacer missing out from the squad for the first Test is Mark Wood. The veteran also had sustained a knee injury during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which ruled him out for four months as well. However, Wright said that while Wood has started with light training, his full recovery is likely to take much time and he can be available towards the end of the India series.
“I think Woody’s now started bowling just lightly, to be honest. He’s just off a few paces, but that’s been a great sign,” he said. “So, he’s on the road to recovery. I think he’s more long-term, if we can get him back, he might have an option for the fourth or fifth Test. But again, each day it’s ticking off each box and making sure he’s okay. But he’s trucking on well and same with Stoney. So, we are starting to get boys back, but they’re still further away than right now. But it would be nice having those options back as well.”
However, England and India will play the first of five Tests starting 20 June in Headingley, which will be the beginning of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle as well.
