Massive boost for England as Jofra Archer returns to training at Sussex

England pacer Jofra Archer has returned to nets to start his early recovery from the lengthy elbow and back injuries. Archer last played competitive cricket in July 2021 for Sussex in a Royal London One-Day Cup warm-up match. He missed last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE and is not part of the upcoming edition in Australia as well.

The 27-year-old right-arm pacer recently started his rehabilitation process and now has returned to the nets with Sussex. He has been batting in the nets and is expected to complete his recovery in the next few months. But the player is unlikely to play competitive cricket this year as England are not looking to rush his comeback.

Steve Finn provides positive update on Jofra Archer’s recovery

Archer has been sensational in white-ball cricket for England with 30 wickets in 17 ODIs and 14 in 12 T20I matches so far. He bowled a decisive super over in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand. Steve Finn, Archer’s teammate at Sussex, revealed that the pacer is back in the nets and is progressing well. He also stated that England physios are regularly visiting the player to track his progress. 

“He’s progressing nicely. I’ve seen him a fair bit over the last few weeks and he’s very positive about the way it’s all progressing and healing. The England physios are down quite frequently visiting him and checking how he’s getting on. I’ve seen him batting in the nets recently as well, which I think shows it’s getting better and healing as well,” Steve Finn told iNews. 

Notably, Archer has also made a big impact in red-ball cricket as well since his debut in the 2019 Ashes. He has taken 42 wickets in 13 Test matches but England have been excellent in the recent games despite missing key pacers. The Three Lions have struggled to name their strongest pace bowling unit in the last few months with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes also missing a considerable amount of matches due to injuries. 

“If he could be part of that Ashes series I think it would give England a great opportunity to win it. With the style that he has and the way he plays his cricket would fit in with the way that dressing-room seems to be working at the moment,” Finn added.