IND vs ENG: England bowlers toiled hard against India batters as there were five centuries scored in the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. While Josh Tongue cleaned up the tail twice, Brydon Carse came up with breakthroughs and Ben Stokes claimed a four-fer in the first innings, Chris Woakes managed to get just one wicket. Meanwhile, England's lethal fast bowler Jofra Archer is line for his return to the Test side after four years. Archer returned to first-class cricket for Sussex and bowled 18 overs in the first innings. Despite conceding 835 runs, former England captain Michael Vaughan does not want Archer to be rushed back to the side and risk another injury. He wants Archer to play a couple of more games before playing in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
“No. He’s had four years out of action, I don’t see what the great rush is. Just give him a couple of games for Sussex and then bring him in for the game at Lord’s. I would continue with the attack that bowled so well here at Leeds this week," Vaughan told BBC when asked about Archer's return.
The second Test begins on July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Vaughan wants Archer to play in Sussex's next game against Warickshire starting June 29. There is not much gap between second and third Test. On July 10, the third Test at Lord's, London, will begin.
On his return to the Sussex side, Archer contributed with a cameo of 31 from 34 balls against Durham. In his second spell, he got the wicket of opener Emilio Gay. He bowled 18 overs including eight maidens and conceded just 32 runs. He was the most economical of Sussex bowlers.
When Archer last played at Lord's
Archer's return to the Test side is crucial for England as they play the Ashes later this year on Australian soil. The last time Archer played at Lord's was on his Test debut. He got a total of five wickets in the game against England that ended in a draw. He also bowled a lethal bouncer to Steve Smith which led to him being concussed. Then, Marnus Labuschagne stamped his authority in Test cricket as concussion substitute with a gritty half-century.