Stuart Broad Advocates for Caution with Jofra Archer Ahead of Final Test

Final Test Match Between India and England Approaches

The fifth and final Test match between India and England is set to take place at The Oval in London starting July 31. However, concerns regarding player fitness are causing tension for both teams ahead of the match. Recently, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad made a statement regarding Jofra Archer that has sparked further discussion.

Stuart Broad's Concerns About Jofra Archer

Broad has expressed that Jofra Archer should not be included in the squad for the Oval Test. Archer recently made his return to Test cricket after a four-year hiatus, participating in the third and fourth matches of the five-Test series. While his bowling speed and sharpness were evident, the toll on his body has become increasingly apparent. Broad believes that if Archer is pushed to play again too soon, he risks being sidelined for an extended period.

Potential Replacements for Archer

In an interview with Sky Sports, Broad emphasized the importance of not overworking Archer, stating, "We can't have Archer unavailable for four years, bring him back, and then exhaust him again, risking another long absence." He suggested two players as potential replacements for Archer in the playing eleven. Broad mentioned that Josh Tongue, who started the series, could be a natural fit despite primarily dismissing lower-order batsmen. Additionally, he recommended Gus Atkinson to replace Brydon Carse, asserting that Atkinson should definitely be given a chance, especially since he has no workload concerns.