Jofra Archer last played a Test for England in February 2021. Photo: PTI
“Firstly, you have to say it is good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it’s great to see him back in the squad… he has not played a Test match for four years,” Hussain told Sky Sports.
However, he cautioned against rushing Archer into playing against India at Edgbaston. “I think it is too much of a risk this week, but it may have gone so well — I do not know Jofra Archer’s body — it may have gone so well that they say, ‘we will play you this week’. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?”
Hussain, however, sees the long-term benefits of Archer’s return to the England squad, especially with England set to tour Australia for the Ashes later this year. He said England should target playing him in the Lord’s Test instead of Edgbaston.
“I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don’t know if it is worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord’s,” said the former captain.
England made a fascinating turnaround in the Leeds Test after India piled up 835 runs, with four batters scoring centuries. England chased down a 371-run target, with 350 runs coming on the fifth day, to claim a 1-0 lead in the long series.
