ECB Announces England Squad for 2nd Test vs India at Edgbaston; Jofra Archer Returns

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston. Before the Headingley match, a 14-player squad was named, and all of them will stay in the team. Fast bowler Jofra Archer recently played his first first-class match in four years, has also been added.

Due to ongoing injury problems, Jofra Archer hadn’t played a red-ball match in 1501 days. But earlier this week, he made his return in the County Championship for Surrey. He scored 31 runs and bowled a tight 18-over spell, picking up a wicket against Durham.

England selector Luke Wright had mentioned that a Test comeback was possible for Jofra Archer, but his return would depend on how he performed in the County Championship. After just one game, it looks like Archer is fit and ready for Test cricket. He had even asked captain Ben Stokes to play him in the match against Zimbabwe, but Stokes said no at the time. Now, just a month later, Archer is back in the Test squad.

Atkinson Misses Out Again Despite Recovery Hopes

One name missing from the squad is Gus Atkinson. The right-arm fast bowler picked up a hamstring injury during the one-off match against Zimbabwe and was ruled out of both the West Indies white-ball series and the first Test against India. Many expected him to return for the second Test, but it looks like he hasn’t fully recovered yet.

England squad for Second India Test

Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

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