England pace bowler Jofra Archer missed Monday’s training session ahead of their second Test with India attributable to a family emergency, however the ECB has decided to call an unchanged line-up all the identical.
The 30-year-old is anticipated to rejoin the squad on Tuesday in preparation for the second Test at Edgbaston as England look to strengthen their grip on the five-match series, but captain Ben Stokes will probably be leading an Archer-less side into battle.
Archer was called as much as England’s squad after the side secured an exciting five-wicket victory within the series opener at Headingley last week.
Archer has not played Test cricket since February 2021 and played his first red-ball match after 4 years in Sussex‘s County Championship draw against Durham at Chester-le-Street last week.
At any time when his Test return comes, fellow England bowler Chris Woakes is worked up to have Archer back across the team and believes his best days are still ahead of him.
He said: “Sensible for Jof, good for us as a team. It’s an enormous boost to have him back.
“When Jof is around he adds lots to the group, not only as a player but as an individual and as a personality. He’s obviously had a troublesome journey over the previous couple of years along with his injuries and it’s credit to him the labor he’s put in to be back on this position to give you the option to hopefully play Test cricket again.
“More delighted for him than us often because I know the way hard it’s to undergo long spells of injuries. We haven’t had the lay offs he’s had but even only a niggle here and there it could actually be hard mentally, so full credit to him and the chance to play for England again.
“His best might be still ahead of him. I’m sure he’s chomping on the bit to get back on the market and show people what he has already done within the whites.
“All of us know the way good he will be but he’s at an age where his best remains to be ahead of him, which is exiting for him and us.
“Hopefully when he does get back on the market it’ll be great to have him back and great for the fans.”
England will look to take a 2-0 series lead over India with victory this week however the side have had a mixed bag of results on the venue over the past five years.
A defeat by Latest Zealand in 2021 together with a pair of Ashes losses in 2019 and 2023 show it could possibly be tough work for England.
But Woakes, who was born in Birmingham and plays his domestic cricket for Warwickshire, is worked up to play in front of his home crowd.
He added: “At any time when I come here for a global it’s got that extra buzz and an actual good feeling turning up at your house crowd and being a part of an enormous series, it’s exciting.
“We get great support here. The Hollies (stand) will probably be rocking and there will probably be a number of Indian fans here as well so it makes for an excellent atmosphere for each teams. I’m glad to be an element of it.”
James Anderson and Stuart Broad‘s retirements mean Woakes is now a more senior figure within the England bowling attack and the 36-year-old is having fun with his role as one of the vital experienced members of the group.
“I’m having fun with it and I played a number of my England games with Jimmy and Broady so it’s different not having them around but additionally it’s an excellent opportunity for myself,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed that role to this point and it’s good to pass on some knowledge to the younger guys that haven’t played as much Test cricket.
“I’m still in that position where I’m attempting to recover and improve each time I am going on the market. People prefer to discuss age lots but it surely is only a number. If I feel like I’m performing well, I’ll carry on.”