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Birmingham - England captain Ben Stokes has shared an exciting update about Jofra Archer, saying the fast bowler is bowling with "effortless pace" in the nets and is inching closer to a long-awaited return to Test cricket.

Archer, who last played a Test match in early 2021, has battled multiple injuries over the past few years, particularly with his elbow and back. Despite being out of the side for such a long time, Stokes revealed that Archer looked sharp and dangerous during training sessions, swinging the ball with serious pace.

“He got the ball swinging with effortless pace. It was a bit of a wake-up call for me,” Stokes said, recalling how Archer’s bowling made a strong impression on him during nets. “The atmosphere changes when he has the ball in hand. It doesn’t matter what the situation is — he just brings that X-factor.”

Although Archer wasn’t included in the playing XI for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, the England team has decided to keep him with the squad instead of sending him back to play county cricket. According to Stokes, this decision allows Archer to stay involved in the Test match environment, helping him gradually ease into the rhythm of red-ball cricket once again.

Archer did miss a training session earlier this week due to a personal family matter but has since rejoined the team. His return is being managed carefully, with the England management eager to protect one of their most talented bowlers from another setback.

Stokes also spoke about his own recent bowling efforts. He bowled 35 overs and took five wickets in the first Test win at Headingley — a huge personal milestone after struggling with injuries in recent months. While he admitted it took a toll on his body, he confirmed he’s ready to take on that workload again if needed.

With Archer waiting in the wings, England will go into the second Test with a pace attack featuring Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse. Spinners Moeen Ali and Shoaib Bashir will handle the spin duties, and former England star Andrew Flintoff continues to inspire the squad off the field with his presence and mentorship.

As England gear up to face India again, the possibility of seeing Archer back in whites grows stronger — and if his recent form in the nets is anything to go by, it might not be long before he lights up the Test arena once again. 

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