Jofra Archer and James Anderson. (Photo source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

is likely to play from the second Test of the five-match series against India. It could be Archer's return to Test cricket for the first time in over four years. Archer was last part of the English Test setup on the away tour of India in 2021. Meanwhile recently, the star pacer suffered a thumb injury which ruled him out of the ODI series against the West Indies.

The fast bowler did not take part in the series between India A and England Lions either, as he was still recovering from the injury. As Archer has neared his recovery and Mark Wood is yet to be fit following the knee injury he suffered earlier this year, the former is likely to be in the squad for the second Test.

Luke Wright confirmed the same and claimed Archer is recovering well. The Chief Selector of the English team claimed that the star pacer will play the match between Sussex and Durham in a few days time. Wright confirmed that Archer would be available for the second Test if things go well.

"Joff's trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him, he's playing a few second-team games. He's getting a few loading up in the second team for Sussex, and then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham, I think, on the 23rd, just during the first Test. So, he'll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then, if things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test," said Luke Wright to Sky Sports.

Wright confirmed that Archer is well and truly in the scheme of things for a Test return and might well play a majority of the series against India, a crucial one for the home side in the World Test Championship Cycle 2025-17.

"It is like anything with all these bowlers, he's got to keep ticking off every day and getting no setbacks. But if all goes well and he gets through that Durham game, then he's available potentially for selection for that second Test," Wright added.