England won the first Test of the series against England by a margin of 115 runs. New Zealand collapsed for 113 and 138 in first and second innings respectively on a bowler-friendly Lord’s pitch. After the first Test ended in just 167 overs, head coach Brendon McCullum was asked about Jofra Archer’s availability for the second Test at Kennington Oval, London, scheduled to start on June 17. McCullum did not have a definitive answer but hopeful that Archer is available for selection for the second Test.
"We will probably drill down on that over the next couple of days,” McCullum told Sky Sports.
"We are hopeful he will be available for the second Test. Then we will work out conditions-wise where we are at. He is following a plan and we completely trust Jof.
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"He has shown in the past that he gets himself ready based on the plans we get together and come up with. He has always turned up in the condition we want from him."
Archer’s availability crucial after Stokes-Atkinson’s nightclub incident
Archer’s absence has been questioned by many. Apart from former England captains and cricketers, even former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull criticised Archer’s absence. He wasn’t convinced with using Indian Premier League (IPL) as an excuse, citing that New Zealand pacers have done the same and played Test cricket right after in the past.
However, Archer’s presence may turn out to be even more crucial in the second Test following the nightclub incident involving skipper Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. On June 8, England Cricket Board (ECB) indicated that an action on Stokes and Atkinson may be taken as they have passed the case to the Cricket Regulator. If the duo are to face a ban for breaking the midnight curfew, it will England’s fast-bowling stocks depleted.
In the Test series opener, Atkinson claimed a fifer in the second innings. He also took two wickets in the first. Stokes' only wicket of the Test was Devon Conway who scored 41 in the second innings. While he is out of form, his services with all departments of the game will be crucial. England don’t have a like-for-like replacement for Stokes at the moment.