England Captain Ben Stokes has opened up about Jofra Archer’s unrestrained desire to play Test for the national team, but England is unwilling to pick Jofra Archer in the long format until next summer.
Ben Stokes Reveals Jofra Archer’s Desire
Before the 2nd test against West Indies, Ben Stokes has revealed that sensational pacer Jofra Archer is desperate to join England’s pace attack for the Ashes next winter. He added that England will patiently wait for the Archer’s route to join them next year.
Stokes said he was glad to see Archer in action in the T20 World Cup 2024 but doesn’t want to be giddy and rush the fast bowler in Test cricket. Archer picked up eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 19 and an economy of 7.22 in the USA and Caribbean. While speaking in the media Ben Stokes said,
“I know that Jofra is desperate to get back in a Test shirt for England. He’s very passionate about playing for England and he’s still got a lot of passion to play Test cricket. But he’s been through a very, very tough few years. Watching him play in the World Cup was obviously great. But I’m very close with Jofra, and it was just great to see him back out on the field.”
“It’s about not getting too giddy with it. If we don’t have him for a year, let’s say, but it prolongs his career for another two or three years, that’s what we are looking to do. We’re not looking to rush Jof back,” he added.
Jofra Archer made his debut test series during the 2019 Ashes picking 22 wickets in four matches. However, he hasn’t played in the format since 2021 and returned to his international career this year after a long injury break,
Ben Stokes said that Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood will take on West Indies at Nottingham with no James Anderson and Stuart Broad. He applauded Atkinson for his seam movements.
Gus and Woakesy will take the new ball. I first saw Gus live in the World Cup in India. He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it has to do with the Duke’s ball, and how it has behaved. There has not been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It’s generally been off the surface, hitting the seam and Gus is a very good exponent of that,”
Atkinson enjoyed his test debut picking a seven-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul in the first and second innings of West Indies to ensure a fashionable victory for England at Lord’s.
