'You don't have to change a winning side': Former England star explains why Ben Stokes-led side should feature without Jofra Archer in 2nd Test vs India

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'You don't have to change a winning side': Former England star explains why Ben Stokes-led side should feature without Jofra Archer in 2nd Test vs India
Jofra Archer of Sussex bowls during day three of the Rothesay County Championship match between Durham Cricket and Sussex at the Banks Homes Riverside in Chester le Street, United Kingdom, on June 24, 2025.

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England beat India by five wickets in 1st Test of Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.

India vs England 2nd Test will take place at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

Former England cricketer David Gower believes that pacer Jofra Archer has been rushed into the Test squad and the team management should have seen him play three or more county games before adding him in the national squad. Archer is making headlines since England announced their squad for the second Test against India. 

Speedster Jofra Archer has been included in the England squad for the second Test against India, which will start from July 2 at Edgbaston. The hosts are currently leading the five-match series 1-0 following a five-wicket win at Leeds.

Archer, returning to the England Test since February 2021, will be looking to add to his 13 Test caps at Edgbaston next week, as per an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) release. The  30-year-old right-arm quick has 42 wickets at an average of 31.04, with the best figures of 6/45.  Archer played his first red-ball contest in more than four years earlier this week when he turned out for Sussex in their four-day match against Durham at Chester-Le-Street and showed glimpses of his best as he scored 31 with the bat and collected figures of 1/32 from 18 overs as the teams played out a draw. 

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Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gower said, "You have got to face the facts that he has been injured, he has been operated on, the elbow has been troublesome."

 

"He has played one game for Sussex and when you have had a fellow with that sort of injury history, in my book, you need to watch him or see him play three or four games maybe for Sussex and see how he is getting on to make sure that the fitness levels are where they should be, that there is no reaction to bowling 20 odd overs a day."

 

"There is also the adage that you don't have to change a winning side. I would not be rushing Jofra in at this stage," he concluded. Other than that, the squad remains unchanged.


England Men's Test squad for 2nd Test: Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.