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England captain Ben Stokes says Jofra Archer is “absolutely desperate” to return to Test cricket in the upcoming five-match home series against India, marking a possible comeback after more than four years.
Archer last played a Test in February 2021. Since then, his career has been plagued by a string of injuries, most recently a broken thumb. But he is set to make his first-class return for Sussex against Durham on Sunday, part of a structured plan to get him back into the Test fold.
“He’s been absolutely desperate to put the white shirt back on,” Stokes said at Headingley. “Randomly, a couple of times, he would just send me a text saying, ‘Zim?’
“I was like, ‘let’s just hold it there, all right. I know you’re in a good spot right now, but let’s not just rush into it.’”
Despite setbacks, England has remained committed to Archer, who made a sensational debut in 2019 with standout performances in the World Cup and Ashes.
“He’s obviously had a horrific time with injuries, but he’s had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats,” Stokes said. “It’s really exciting for England, but also more exciting for Jof that he’s in a position now where we’re able to have a plan in place and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.”
Archer’s return would bolster England ahead of two big assignments — the India series and the Ashes tour in Australia.
Asked about potentially becoming an Ashes-winning captain, Stokes played it down: “Defining a career as England captain isn’t something that I sit there and really think about, honestly… it’s just completely and utterly selfish and that ain’t me.”
