Jofra Archer is set to make his long-awaited return to international cricket on Wednesday, with England captain Jos Buttler saying the fast bowler will feature in his first T20 international against Pakistan at Headingley. I confirmed that it was.
Archer has not played international cricket since March 2023 due to a fractured back, but recently featured in Sussex's second XI and is part of England's T20 World Cup title defense squad in the Caribbean and the United States next month.
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Archer completed an impressive comeback for Sussex, claiming a wicket in six overs during Kent's second innings.
Asked if Archer will play in the first T20I of England's four-match series against Pakistan – Sky Sports Cricket Live Stream Wednesday from 6pm (first ball 6.30pm) – Butler said: “Yes.
“I think we’ll just have to take good care of him and see how it goes, but he’s fully fit now so it’s really exciting.”
Wednesday, May 22nd at 6pm
Buttler added that Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood are not yet fit to feature and will not feature in the series opener against Pakistan.
Commenting on Archer's return, Buttler said: “He's got a big smile on his face. It's great to see him fit again and bowling fast and it's great to have him back in the group. I know how much he's missed it.
“We have to temper our expectations. He has been out of international cricket for a long time and we can never replicate that, but we all know what a superstar he was.”
“A player of Jofra’s caliber is a huge asset to any team, so it absolutely makes us a better team, gives us better results and gives us a better chance of winning games.
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Sam Curran claims Archer's return to the England squad ahead of the T20 World Cup would be exciting.
“But we're not expecting too much from him too soon. It's important that he comes back and enjoys his cricket. As England captain and as a fan, people want to see Jofra play cricket, which would be great. .”
Buttler: No additional pressure after over 50 World Cup failures
With the Pakistan series intensifying preparations ahead of June's T20 World Cup, Buttler said there was no extra pressure on his side despite their dismal defense in last year's 50-wicket World Cup crown in India.
England, who won on home soil in 2019, sit seventh in the 10-team standings, winning just three of their nine games, two of which have already been eliminated.
Australia's defense of their T20 World Cup title won two years ago begins with a match against Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday 4 June.
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Broadcaster and pundit Andrew Leonard told the Sky Sports Cricket podcast that he believes England could end up in trouble if they underestimate their associate opponents in the T20 World Cup.
In other Group B matches, they travel to Barbados to face old rivals Australia (8 June) before traveling to Antigua to face fellow nations Oman (13 June) and Namibia (15 June). The top two teams in their group advance to the Super Eights.
“There is no additional pressure,” Butler said Tuesday. “Our pride was definitely damaged a lot in that tournament. It was a really disappointing tournament, but life goes on.
“It’s a chapter in the book and there are lessons to be learned from it, but now we have a new opportunity, a different format and we are really excited to go to the West Indies in the World Cup as the defending champions. Once again, we can learn more about ourselves. Please give me a better explanation.”
England vs Pakistan T20I Series Match Schedule
May 22nd: Headingley, 6.30pm.
May 25th: 2.30pm, Edgbaston.
May 28: Sophia Gardens, 6:30 p.m.
May 30: Kia Oval, 6:30 p.m.
Watch all four matches of England Men's T20I series against Pakistan and watch the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA live on Sky Sports Cricket. Also stream NOW.
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