Jofra Archer was the last one out at training on Monday, strolling on to the Headingley outfield with a plate of food in his hand. But after a year of starvation on the sidelines, the fast bowler is poised to make his England comeback this week as the buildup to the T20 World Cup gets under way.
Archer was last seen in England kit in Bangladesh 14 months ago and the 29-year-old bowler has not played a home international – in any format – for nearly four years. Provided the stress fractures to his right elbow and lower back that forced the hiatus are firmly in the rearview mirror, expect Jos Buttler’s pace attack to be significantly augmented over the coming weeks.
Four T20s at home against Pakistan, starting here on Wednesday evening, represent England’s only action before their World Cup defence begins against Scotland in Barbados on 4 June. With their squad due to be finalised by Saturday – the same day as the second T20 at Edgbaston – it makes sense to run the rule over Archer immediately.
Photo – Danny Lawson/PA
