This video can not be played 'Bazball with brains' - England chase down 371 to win first Test against India Jofra Archer should not play in England's second Test against India at Edgbaston, says former captain Michael Vaughan. Archer played in his first first-class matchfor four years this week as he seeks to prove his fitness for a return to the Test arena, where he has not featured since 2021. England selector Luke Wright said earlier this month that if Archer comes through the four-day game for Sussex he could be available for the second Test, which starts on 2 July. "The good thing is that Jofra is back in the equation - but I'd like to see him play another four-day game," said Vaughan, who is now a BBC Test Match Special pundit. "He's not played the longer format for four years so why, on the back of one game for Sussex against Durham, would you rush him back? "We know the intensity at Test-match level is so different to county cricket. Let him play another four-day game - I would go with the same line-up, as long as the bowlers are fine and there are no niggles." The 30-year-old finished with figures of 1-32 from 18 overs in Durham's first innings, his sole wicket being that of opener Emilio Gay. Archer emerged as one of England's most exciting prospects in 2019 when he bowled the decisive super over in the home World Cup win, before taking 22 wickets at 20.27 across four Tests in the Ashes series that followed. But he has since been plagued by injury - an elbow issue first suffered in 2020 has required several surgeries and he also had a stress fracture in his back in 2022. As a result, Archer's frequent attempts to return to international cricket have been stop-start. He was expected to play in the white-ball series against West Indies at the beginning of this summer buthurt his thumbwhile playing in the Indian Premier League. Sussex start another County Championship game against Warwickshire on Sunday, which would overlap with the second Test - and Vaughan has backed the bowlers who played in the first Test to be selected again. "Josh Tongue, the hoover, let him do that again at Edgbaston," Vaughan said, referring to the Nottinghamshire seamer's ability to knock over the lower order as he did in both innings at Headingley. "Chris Woakes needs more of a run out, and then Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse have been fantastic. They're 1-0 up, played some great cricket, so go with the same again."
No need to rush Archer back to Tests - Vaughan
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Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, has advised against rushing Jofra Archer back into the Test squad for the upcoming second Test against India at Edgbaston. Archer, who has not played a first-class match in four years, recently returned to the field for Sussex, where he played a four-day game against Durham. Despite his eagerness to rejoin the Test team, Vaughan emphasized that Archer should participate in another four-day match to ensure he is fully prepared. Vaughan noted the significant difference in intensity between county cricket and Test matches, suggesting that one game is insufficient for a player returning from such a long absence. He also expressed confidence in the bowlers who participated in the first Test, advocating for continuity in the team's lineup unless there are injury concerns among the current players.
Archer's journey back to competitive cricket has been fraught with challenges due to multiple injuries, including a persistent elbow issue and a stress fracture in his back. His last appearance in the Test arena was in 2021, and he was initially expected to play in a white-ball series against the West Indies earlier this summer, but he suffered a thumb injury while playing in the Indian Premier League. Vaughan's comments reflect a cautious approach to Archer's reintegration into the team, highlighting the importance of readiness and fitness at the highest level of the sport. With Sussex set to face Warwickshire shortly, Vaughan reiterated that the existing bowlers, including Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes, have been performing well and should be retained for the second Test, as England leads the series 1-0 after a strong performance in the first match.
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