“If we don’t have him for a year”

England Test captain Ben Stokes has given a big statement on his team’s fast bowler Jofra Archer on the eve of the second Test against West Indies. Stokes reckoned that England are not looking to rush Archer to play red-ball cricket and will bring him into the side once he is fully fit.

Jofra Archer last played a Test match in 2021. He had a sensational debut Test series in 2019 Ashes where he claimed 22 wickets in just four matches. He troubled the world-class Australian batters with his skills and high pace during that series.

However, the constant injuries have severely affected his international career, especially in Test cricket. The longest format of the game requires optimum fitness and it remains to be seen when Archer makes his Test comeback.

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Ben Stokes’ big statement on Jofra Archer

Before the second Test between England and West Indies at Nottingham, Stokes revealed that he was pleased to see Archer bowl in the T20 World Cup 2024. The England captain also added that Archer has the passion to play Test cricket.

“I know that Jofra (Archer) 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 play in the World Cup was great. But I’m very close with Jofra, and it was just great to see him back out on the field,” Stokes was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

The England captain then mentioned that they are not looking to rush Archer back into the longest format and are aiming to prolong his career.

“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.

Jofra Archer made a much-awaited comeback in the T20 World Cup 2024 where he picked up 8 wickets in eight matches at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 7.21. However, England’s T20 World Cup campaign ended with a semi-final defeat to India.

Ben Stokes reveals England’s new ball combination

When asked about England’s new ball combination after the retirement of James Anderson, Stokes responded that Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes will take the new ball for England in the second Test against West Indies.

“Gus (Atkinson) and Woakesy (Chris Woakes) will take the new ball. I first saw Gus live in the World Cup in India. He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it is to do with the Dukes ball, how it has behaved,” Stokes lauded Atkinson.

“There has not actually been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It’s generally been off the surface, hitting the seam and Gus is a very good exponent of that,” the England captain added.

Gus Atkinson had an excellent Test debut in the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s where he picked up 12 wickets in the match and was adjudged Player of the Match.