Table of Contents
Comeback Complete: Archer Returns to England XI
England speedster Jofra Archer has been confirmed to play in the 1st Test against New Zealand, marking his first red-ball appearance since February 2021.
🗨️ “It’s been a long road, but I’m back where I belong — in whites, at Lord’s.”
— Jofra Archer, speaking to Sky Sports
🩺 A Battle Through Injury
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 📅 Feb 2021 | Last Test vs India (Ahmedabad) |
| 🔨 May 2021 | Elbow surgery |
| ❌ 2022–2023 | Multiple setbacks, ruled out of Ashes |
| 💪 2024 | Returns in T20s and ODI series |
| ✅ July 2025 | Named in Test XI vs New Zealand |
🗨️ “We’ve managed him carefully. He’s fully fit and firing.”
— Brendon McCullum, England Head Coach
🔍 Why Archer’s Return Matters
🎯 Match-Winning Pace
2019 Ashes: 22 wickets in 4 Tests
Peak bowling speed: 154.65 km/h
🧪 X-Factor in the Lab
Archer is England’s only bowler in the squad with a sub-25 average and 90+ mph pace.
🧠 Stats Snapshot: Archer in Tests
| Career Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Tests Played | 13 |
| Wickets | 42 |
| Average | 31.04 |
| Best Bowling | 6/45 vs Australia |
| Strike Rate | 51.3 |
📊 Fact: Only bowler to dismiss Steve Smith, David Warner, and Virat Kohli multiple times in debut season.
🏟️ England’s Likely XI vs New Zealand
| 🏏 Batting Order | 🔄 Changes from Last Test |
|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | – |
| Ben Duckett | – |
| Ollie Pope (vc) | – |
| Joe Root | – |
| Harry Brook | – |
| Ben Stokes (c) | – |
| Jonny Bairstow (wk) | – |
| Chris Woakes | ✅ In |
| Jofra Archer | ✅ Returns |
| Mark Wood | – |
| James Anderson | ✅ Recalled for farewell |
👥 Reactions from the Cricket World
🗨️ “The game missed him. He’s still the most dangerous man with the ball.”
— Michael Holding, Former West Indies pacer
🗨️ “If Archer stays fit this time, England have a shot at becoming Test kings again.”
— Nasser Hussain, Sky Sports
📲 Fan Reactions | Hashtag: #ArcherReturns
🔥 @CricketKingdom: “We’ve waited 4 years. Now unleash him!”
🧊 @NZCricketLoyal: “Respect Archer — but Conway & Kane are ready.”
✍️ Editor’s Take
After years of heartbreak, rehab, and setbacks, Jofra Archer is finally back in whites. This isn’t just a comeback — it’s a resurrection. With Lord’s as the stage, cricket fans around the globe will be watching one of the sport’s most electric stars light it up again.
