Jofra Archer to miss 2nd Test; England announce unchanged squad
30 Jun 2025

In a major development, England pacer Jofra Archer's much-awaited Test return has been delayed.

As per a Sky Sports report, Archer skipped training on Monday due to a family emergency. The development comes ahead of the 2nd Test between England and India at Edgbaston, starting July 2.

Therefore, England have announced an unchanged squad for the match.

Archer, who recently returned to the Test setup, is expected to rejoin the team in Birmingham on Tuesday.

How Archer earned his Test call-up
Team update

Archer, who last played Test cricket in February 2021, earned a call-up following England's five-wicket win in the series opener against India at Headingley.

Last week, he made a comeback to First-Class cricket, turning up for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship.

It was his maiden First-Class appearances in four years.

Archer took a solitary wicket for 32 runs. He also scored 31 runs.

Archer to strengthen England's pace attack
Comeback anticipation

Following a string of injuries, England have been slowly re-introducing Archer into international cricket with white-ball matches.

He was earlier ruled out of the West Indies ODI series with a thumb injury. Archer's return came as a relief for England's pace attack that has been perturbed by injuries.

England are already without the likes of Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, and Josh Hull.

Archer will later join Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue in the pace department.

England XI for 2nd Test
Fact

England's XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, ⁠Joe Root, ⁠Harry Brook, ⁠Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicket-keeper), Chris Woakes, ⁠Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir.

A look at his red-ball career
Career

Archer hogged the limelight in his debut Test series, the 2019 Ashes in England. He troubled the Australian batters with his fearsome bouncers.

However, he has managed to play just 13 Tests ever since, taking 42 wickets at an average of 31.04. His tally includes 3 fifers.

Notably, Archer snapped up 2 six-wicket hauls in the 2019 Ashes.

Overall, he has taken 180-plus wickets at around 25 in First-Class cricket.