Jofra Archer in rivalry for England’s second Take a look at vs India with Mark Wooden on longer highway to restoration

England nationwide selector Luke Wright says Jofra Archer may return for England’s second Take a look at in opposition to India.

Archer has been out with a thumb damage that noticed him miss England’s ODI sequence in opposition to the West Indies between Might 29 and June 3.

He was additionally omitted from an preliminary 15-player group for England Lions’ red-ball recreation in opposition to India A from June 6 and was not named within the squad for England’s opening Take a look at in opposition to India.

The paceman has not performed a first-class match in 4 years and made the latest of his 13 Take a look at appearances in India in February 2021, with England easing him again into the worldwide recreation by way of white-ball cricket after a horror run with accidents.

Nonetheless, they’re eager for him to kind a part of the battery of tempo bowlers they take to Australia this winter as they appear to win the Ashes abroad for the primary time since 2010/11.

That return now appears to be like doubtlessly on the horizon, with Archer hopefully “available” for the second Take a look at which takes place from Wednesday July 2 to Sunday July 6 at Edgbaston, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

“Joff’s trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him, he’s playing a few second-team games,” Wright mentioned.

“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 issues go nicely, after which if issues go nicely, fingers crossed, he must be accessible for the second Take a look at.

“It is like anything with all these bowlers, he’s got to keep ticking off every day and getting no setbacks.

“But when all goes nicely and he will get by way of that Durham recreation, then he is accessible doubtlessly for choice for that second Take a look at.”

Wooden doubtlessly concentrating on ‘Take a look at 4 or 5’

Mark Wooden has been one in every of England’s longer-term damage woes after he suffered a knee damage again in March that dominated him out for 4 months.

The damage occurred throughout England’s ICC Champions Trophy group-stage defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore after “suffering increased stiffness and discomfort”.

Now, Wooden has began to return to gentle coaching and is on the lookout for a comeback later within the Take a look at sequence if his restoration continues on the identical monitor, with Wright additionally offering an replace on bowler Olly Stone.

“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,” Wright added.

“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 OK.

“However he is trucking on nicely and similar with Stoney. So, we’re beginning to get boys again, however they’re nonetheless additional away than proper now. However it will be good having these choices again as nicely.”

England men’s Tests this summer ☀️

All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports

• May 22-25: Beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs
• vs India: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 – Headingley
• vs India: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 – Edgbaston
• vs India: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 – Lord’s
• vs India: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 – Previous Trafford
• vs India: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 – The Kia Oval