Jofra Archer's England comeback to happen on..

Fast bowler Jofra Archer is poised to make his long-awaited comeback in first-class cricket amid the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England. Archer has been included in Sussex’s squad for their upcoming County Championship clash against Durham, set to commence on Sunday, June 22.

Jofra Archer has been out of first-class cricket for more than four years due to injuries, including his right elbow, back, and a thumb injury sustained during IPL 2025. Archer was not included in the squad for the first Test against India at Headingley but could be in contention for a return in the second match.

Jofra Archer Last Played for England in 2025 Champions Trophy

Jofra Archer recently made his return to international cricket in the white-ball format. He last played for England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against South Africa in March.

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Archer’s journey has been hampered by a string of injuries over the past few years. He sustained a thumb injury while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 IPL, which forced him to miss England’s white-ball series against the West Indies.

Before that, he struggled with recurring elbow problems and stress fractures in his back. He was seen as the successor to England's legendary fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. He established himself across formats, but ongoing fitness concerns have left his Test future uncertain.

Jofra Archer Set to Make Red-Ball Comeback After 4-Year Injury Layoff

Jofra Archer is set to make his red-ball return as part of Sussex's squad, despite not being officially named in the 12-man list for their County Championship match against Durham. According to a BBC report, Archer confirmed that he was on the team bus and traveling with the squad.

His omission from the official squad announcement raised eyebrows, but the ECB later clarified that Archer is available for selection. The Daily Mail reported that Sussex intentionally kept his name off the list to limit excitement around his return.

Archer’s performance in the county matches will play a crucial role in his bid to make a Test comeback. He is expected to feature in two matches to prove his fitness. The pacer, who last played a Test in February 2021, could be in contention for the second Test against India at Edgbaston or the third at Lord’s.

He’s Been Absolutely Desperate to Return - Ben Stokes on Jofra Archer

Earlier this week, Test captain Ben Stokes said that Archer had shown strong interest in making a red-ball comeback. Stokes said that Archer messaged him with a simple "Zim?" ahead of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

“He’s been absolutely desperate to put the white shirt back on. Randomly, a couple of times, he would just send me a text saying, ‘Zim?’," Stokes said in the pre-first-Test press conference.

Jofra made his Test debut during the 2019 Ashes series, where he took 22 wickets at an average of 20.27 in just four matches. Archer has played 13 Test matches, claiming 42 wickets at an average of 31.04.

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