England Names Squad for Second Test Against India with Jofra Archer's Return
England's Squad Announcement for the Second Test
England has revealed its team for the upcoming second Test against India, set to commence on July 2 at Edgbaston. Notably, pacer Jofra Archer has been included in the lineup after a hiatus of over four years.
Current Series Status
The English team currently leads the five-match series 1-0, following a five-wicket victory at Leeds.
Jofra Archer's Comeback
At 30 years old, Archer is making his return to Test cricket for the first time since February 2021. He aims to enhance his tally of 13 Test appearances at Edgbaston next week, as stated in a release from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Archer has claimed 42 wickets at an average of 31.04, with his best bowling figures being 6/45.
Archer's Recent Performance
Earlier this week, Archer participated in his first red-ball match in over four years, playing for Sussex against Durham at Chester-Le-Street. He showcased his potential by scoring 31 runs and achieving bowling figures of 1/32 across 18 overs, contributing to a drawn match.
Overview of the First Test
In the initial Test, India batted first after being invited by England. Key contributions came from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), captain Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134), leading India to a total of 471 runs. Ben Stokes was the standout bowler for England, taking 4 wickets for 66 runs.
England responded strongly, with Ollie Pope scoring a century (106) and fifties from Harry Brook (99) and Ben Duckett (62), bringing their total to 465 and giving India a narrow six-run lead. Jasprit Bumrah excelled for India, claiming five wickets.
In their second innings, India built a solid lead with centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Pant (118), reaching 364 runs. Despite a lower-order collapse, they set a target of 371 runs for England. The chase began well with a 188-run partnership between Zak Crawley (65) and Ben Duckett (149). However, quick wickets brought England to 253/4, creating tension. Ultimately, Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*) secured the win for England, with Duckett earning the 'Player of the Match' accolade.
England Men's Test Squad for the Second Test
The squad for the second Test includes: Ben Stokes (captain), 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, and Chris Woakes.