Following Jofra Archer's return to first-class cricket after a prolonged absence, former England captain Michael Vaughan has cautioned against rushing him back into the Test squad for the second match against India. Archer, who last played a Test in February 2021, recently featured for Sussex in a County Championship game against Durham, marking his first appearance in the longer format in nearly four years. While his return is a positive sign, Vaughan believes that the right-arm quick needs more red-ball cricket under his belt before being thrust into the high-pressure environment of a Test match.
Vaughan's primary concern revolves around Archer's workload and match fitness. After such a long layoff due to recurring elbow injuries and a broken thumb, one first-class game may not be sufficient to prepare him for the rigors of a Test. The intensity at Test level is significantly higher than in county cricket, and Vaughan fears that rushing Archer back could lead to another injury setback.
"The good thing is that Jofra is back in the equation, but I'd like to see him play another four-day game," Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special. "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."
Echoing Vaughan's sentiments, Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace also urged caution regarding Archer's immediate return to the Test arena. "If I was in their (selectors') situation, my honest answer would be that I would save him (Archer) for the third Test match. You have to be careful that he's only bowled 18 overs of red-ball cricket," Farbrace said.
Instead of immediately drafting Archer into the squad, Vaughan suggests sticking with the same bowling lineup that secured a victory in the first Test at Headingley. He believes that the current attack deserves to continue, provided they are fit and without any niggles. This approach would allow Archer to further hone his skills and build his match fitness in a less demanding environment.
Archer himself acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly the mental aspect of transitioning back to Test cricket. "Now it's a different challenge, because I know my body can hold up to it. The mental part of the game (will be challenging)," Archer said. He recognizes the need to prepare himself mentally for the longer spells and sustained pressure that Test cricket demands.
While Archer's return is undoubtedly a significant boost for England, a cautious and patient approach is crucial. Rushing him back prematurely could jeopardize his long-term fitness and potentially deprive England of his services for crucial upcoming series, including the Ashes. By allowing him to play another four-day game and gradually build his workload, England can ensure that Archer is fully prepared and ready to make a significant impact when he eventually returns to the Test arena. It appears that England selector Luke Wright indicated that if Archer came through the county game well, he could be in contention for the second Test.
