Earlier today, England announced their squad for the second Test match against India. And to many people’s surprise, Jofra Archer was included in the 15-member team. The express pacer had played his first first-class game in over 4 years earlier this week for Surrey.
Archer’s inclusion worries Nasser
While the news has excited most English fans, former captain Naseer Hussain isn’t entirely sold on Archer’s inclusion. He feels that England might be rushing him back. He’s bowled just 18 overs across four days in the County Championship and fielded for about 100 overs.
“I think it’s too much of a risk this week but it may have gone so well – I don’t know Jofra Archer’s body – it may have gone so well that they say, ‘we’ll play you this week’. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?” Nasser told Sky Sports Cricket.
“I do think it is a gamble worth taking; I just don’t know if it’s worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord’s. He’s only just made his first-class comeback for Sussex for 4 years this week, where he bowled 18 overs. When Archer’s fully fit, he is one of the best in the world. He is absolutely box office; he has that raw pace. But unfortunately for him, he hasn’t been fully fit. So it is a gamble.”
Shouldn’t play him at Edgbaston
Naseer also thinks that despite being added to the squad, England should wait on bringing Archer into the XI. He thinks playing the pacer at Edgbaston could lead to bigger problems. And perhaps the best decision would be to see how he’s going about and then play him at Lord’s.
“They could have made three decisions with him. Leave him at Sussex to play another County Championship game; I think they play Sunday at Warwickshire and then pick him for Lord’s for the next Test. The problem with that is then he’ll have played three games in three weeks, that Lord’s Test his third, having not played for four years. Another option is to pick him and play him, which they may well do at Edgbaston. Or pick him in the squad, get some overs into his legs every morning, every lunchtime, and every tea after play, and have a look at how he is.”
Ashes in the back of the mind
The former skipper understands that England are thinking about the Ashes already. They wish to check how his body will hold up now, instead of taking him straight to Australia and then things not panning out as they wished.
“What is the hurry when we’ve waited so long? Why not wait another week just to make sure? Obviously, they’ve got one eye on the future as well. It’s not just about Edgbaston and Lord’s and this series. We know what’s coming up next and they would love to have Archer involved Down Under. Bowling fast is hard work and it is a risk. It’s a risk they’re willing to take and I think they have to take before the winter; they have to find out can Jofra get through maybe two of these next four Test matches.”
Won’t play Jofra Archer in India vs England 2nd Test, says Naseer Hussain Inside Sport India.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Won’t play Jofra Archer in India vs England 2nd Test, says Naseer Hussain )
Also on site :