Jofra Archer eyeing Test return after a brilliant comeback in ODIs for England

Jofra Archer is using his impressive white-ball performances to build his fitness and aims for a Test comeback but is not rushing it. With England managing his return carefully, Archer is focusing on taking it "series by series" for now.

In Short

• Jofra Archer eyes a Test return but isn’t rushing due to past injury setbacks
• Archer made a great return to ODIs for England after 18 months
• He picked 2/33 in Lord's vs Australia in 4th ODI match

Jofra Archer is using his consistent white-ball performances this summer as a route towards his ultimate goal of returning to Test cricket. However, he is not setting a timeline for his comeback in the longest format, given his recent struggles with injuries. Archer's brilliant showing against Australia at Lord's on Friday was a reminder of his stunning performances back in 2019. He dismissed captain Mitchell Marsh and star batter Glenn Maxwell as England bowled out Australia for 126 runs, winning the rain-affected match by 186 runs and forcing a series decider in Bristol. Archer regularly clocked over 140kmph, marking another step in his journey towards full fitness.

The match was significant for Archer as it was the first time he played back-to-back ODIs since September 2020. The 28-year-old has been hampered by a series of elbow and back injuries over the past few years, making it difficult to stay fit. But this summer, he has managed to string together consistent performances in white-ball cricket - starting in May, through the T20 World Cup, The Hundred, and now the limited-overs series against Australia.

Archer's return in ODIs after 18 months

Archer admitted that he pushed to play the fourth ODI at Lord's, despite not being scheduled for it initially. "I don't think anyone wants to miss Lord's," Archer said, hinting that the poor weather forecast in Bristol made his decision easier. "I gave the medical staff a little bit of a nudge," he added with a smile.

Reflecting on his progress this summer, Archer was pleased with how things have gone so far. "Yeah, I'd say that. I'm still on the park and we're approaching the end of the summer. So for me, that's a take. I wanted to play a summer, and then I want to play a year, and then I want to play a few years. So everything is going to plan."

"Going series by series"

Archer last played Test cricket in early 2021 and is eyeing a return to the format. However, he is cautious and leaving his schedule in the hands of England's managing director Rob Key and physio Craig de Weymarn. With major Test series against India at home and Australia away next year, England are carefully managing his return.

"I'm just going series by series," said Archer. "To be honest, I'm just happy playing whatever cricket's on at the minute. I'm not looking that far ahead because none of us have next year planned. So let's just go series by series."