• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Temptation Couldve Been Archers Delayed Test Return Explained As Key Makes Big Revelation

"Temptation Could've Been...," Archer's Delayed Test Return Explained As Key Makes Big Revelation

Debashis Sarangi

Jofra Archer could play 2nd Test vs India [Source: @thecricketmen/X]Jofra Archer could play 2nd Test vs India [Source: @thecricketmen/X]

Rob Key, the Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has revealed why England deliberately delayed Jofra Archer's comeback to Test cricket. Hailed for his ability to make the ball talk at a rapid pace, Archer recently returned to England's Test fold, with the hosts adding him to their squad for the upcoming clash against India at Edgbaston. 

Key Explains Reason Behind Archer's Delayed Test Comeback

Former cricketer and current ECB Director Rob Key revealed that England intentionally delayed Jofra Archer's red-ball comeback, although the fast bowler had been toiling in white-ball cricket for quite some time. 

Key reckoned that the ECB's decision to extend Archer's cooling-off period allowed the fast bowler to get his fitness right on track for Test cricket. 

"I think we've gone slower than we could have done. Jofra has been in a long period where he's been building up and building up (in white-ball cricket). The temptation could have been to rush him back sooner. But actually we've gone down this road to make sure that we're in this position now where we're thinking about playing him,"," Key was quoted as saying by TOI.
"He could be one of the best bowlers we have had. And you only do that by doing it in Test cricket. Hopefully for the next few years we'll be fortunate enough to see Jofra have the chance to stake that claim," he added. 

Jofra Archer's Injury-Ridden Test Career So Far

After recovering from a career-threatening back stress fracture, Archer made his comeback through white-ball cricket. It's generally challenging for a fast bowler to live up to the demands of the hectic red-ball format instantly after rehabilitating from an injury as severe as a stress fracture. 

Overall, Archer has represented England in 13 Test matches, scalping 42 wickets at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 62.1. If he makes his comeback at Edgbaston, Josh Tongue might make room for the speedster in the English playing XI.