While Nasser Hussain expresses his delight at witnessing Jofra Archer back in action, he remains cautious about risking the injury-prone fast bowler at the World Cup. Archer recently grappled with a lower back stress fracture in May and is anticipated to regain full fitness toward the latter stages of the tournament. However, his inclusion in the squad hinges on the unfortunate event of another bowler succumbing to an injury.

Hussain concurs with England’s decision to include Archer in their World Cup touring party but fervently hopes that the existing squad stays injury-free. The former captain said, “Jofra, from what I’ve heard, is bowling well and has found his rhythm.”

Archer, at the age of 28, will travel to India as a reserve player after narrowly missing out on selection for Jos Buttler’s 15-man squad. Despite playing a pivotal role in England’s World Cup victory on home soil four years ago, including delivering the crucial super over during their final win against New Zealand, Archer’s career has been hampered by persistent injuries.

Hussain acknowledges the lack of recent match experience for Archer, a potential concern, especially in a World Cup setting. He comments, “He hasn’t seen much match action, and the World Cup doesn’t provide many opportunities for that. He might have to rely on net sessions. Nonetheless, having him as a reserve is a valuable asset. With his familiarity with India, acquired through his participation in the Indian Premier League, and his knowledge of the venues, his inclusion is the right decision, considering what he has been through.”

In addition to concerns about Archer, England supporters have also been worried about Ben Stokes’ fitness. Stokes grappled with a knee injury during the Ashes series but was persuaded to come out of one-day international (ODI) retirement for the World Cup. Notably, he recently notched a remarkable 182 against New Zealand, setting a new record for England’s highest individual score in ODI cricket.

Hussain points out that Ben Stokes, who will be 36 when the next ODI World Cup is held in 2027, is likely to retire from the format after this year’s tournament. However, the timing of his retirement remains a matter known solely to Ben himself.

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow, a wicketkeeper-batter from Yorkshire, has returned to England and is now fully fit after breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle during a round of golf, and has been included in the squad, while Ben Foakes has not been included.
Chris Woakes, the seamer from Warwickshire, will be returning to the England squad, while Mark Wood, the fast bowler from Durham, is back after taking a break from the New Zealand tour.

Surrey’s batsman, Ollie Pope, has been named as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect. Rob Key, the ECB managing director for England men’s cricket, expressed his sympathy for Jofra Archer’s injury, saying that it has been a frustrating and upsetting period for him. Key added that the decision to exclude Ben Foakes from the squad was a tough one.

“Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomized what we are about,” Key said. “He has been excellent for England in the last year.”

England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood.

However, he did not practice on Thursday. However, there was optional practice for the England team on this day. Of course, Archer is fully fit. On Wednesday, he played in a preparatory match for England the whole time.

That’s why captain Jos Buttler has said that he will be in the XI against South Africa on Friday.

Archer last played an international match for England in March 2021. After that, Kunui was out for a long time due to injury. He had to undergo two or two surgeries to repair his elbow injury. Last year, there was a possibility of Kunui recovering from the injury and returning to the field. But this was no longer possible due to a crack in the vertebrae on the lower side of the back.

Archer played for MI Cape Towns in the ongoing ‘SA T20’ league in South Africa and took 8 wickets. That’s why Buttler recommended taking him to the team.

Archer made a great contribution with the ball to England’s ODI World Cup victory in 2019. England won the title by bowling in the Super Over. He took 20 wickets in the 2019 World Cup.

His return forms part of a managed return to action across formats, with Archer also due to play two matches for MI Cape Town in the inaugural SA20 – the new South Africa domestic competition that gets underway in January, ahead of the three-match England tour.
Speaking after his bowling stint in Abu Dhabi last month, Archer described his return to action against the Test squad as “a small day but still a big day”, and admitted he was still in the very early stages of his return to full fitness.

“I’d rather take these last few months very seriously, more serious than probably all of the rehab,” he said. “Because once this phase goes right, then it can set me up for the next three to four years injury-free. That’s the goal right now.” The tour will also offer Harry Brook a chance to complete his full set of England caps. He has been named in an ODI squad for the first time, following his formidable run of form in the recent Test series in Pakistan, where he made 468 runs at 93.60, including three hundred.

Ben Duckett, who also impressed on both white- and red-ball legs of the tour of Pakistan, making 357 runs at 71.40 in the latter, is back in the ODI set-up for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, Reece Topley is said to be making an “excellent recovery” from the freak ankle injury he suffered after tripping on a boundary marker in the lead-up to England’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in Australia last month and has also been named in the squad.

However, Liam Livingstone, who suffered a knee injury during England’s first Test win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi earlier this month, has been overlooked while he continues his recovery. There is no place either for Surrey’s Will Jacks, who made his Test debut in the same match and claimed six first-inning wickets or for James Vince and Sam Billings, both of whom played in England’s most recent ODI series against Australia in November.

The three-match series will be played over six days, with the first match in Bloemfontein starting on January 27, while England’s Test tour of New Zealand gets underway the following week. England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes

Archer has had 3 surgeries in the last 14 months. He was due to return to the field this month with the England domestic T20 Blast. He was scheduled to play for Sussex against Glamorgan on 26 May. However, due to injury, Archer will not be available on the cricket field till September.

“It’s terrible news for Archer that he won’t be able to play all summer,” Petersen told the Daily Mirror in an interview. It’s hard to imagine whether it would fit again to play in the long format. That is the reality. Hopefully, he will return to white-ball cricket. ’

Petersen thinks the English pacers are getting injured regularly due to a lack of adequate practice. He urged Archer to seek expert advice. Petersen has cited his career to give an example in this regard.

He added: “England’s pacers are prone to injuries like that. Sports experts can give a detailed idea about this. When I was playing, the pacers used to bowl a lot in the nets and get fit for bowling. ‘