- Archer has been pencilled in to play in at least two of the matches with Pakistan
- The fast bowler has been absent for 14 months due to a chronic elbow injury
- Archer’s return comes as England prepare for their T20 World Cup title defence
England are set to unleash Jofra Archer in Wednesday’s first T20 against Pakistan at Headingley as the countdown begins to their World Cup defence in the Caribbean.
Archer, who has not played international cricket for 14 months because of a chronic elbow injury, has been pencilled in for at least two, and possibly three, of the four games against the Pakistanis before Jos Buttler’s team cross the Atlantic on May 31.
And his return against the opponents England beat to win the T20 World Cup at Melbourne in November 2022 has caused a frisson among team-mates, with Sam Curran hailing the ‘fear factor’ Archer brings to any attack.
‘It’s incredibly exciting,’ said Curran. ‘I’m sure England fans and players are extremely buzzed to have him back. He’s an addition no side can turn down. He’s obviously got that extra pace and fear factor we can bring to opposition as well.
‘His injuries are behind him now and it’ll be really special for him playing in Barbados next month. Jof’s had a really tough couple of years. We all hope he can come back and bring the A-game we know he’s got.’
England are set to unleash Jofra Archer in the first T20 against Pakistan at Headingley
![Archer's return comes in the build-up to the T20 World Cup in Barbados next month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/15/85106271-13439017-image-a-72_1716215575790.jpg)
Archer’s return comes in the build-up to the T20 World Cup in Barbados next month
![Sam Curran believes the return of Archer will provide a further 'fear factor' to opponents](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/15/85106361-13439017-image-a-73_1716215726319.jpg)
Sam Curran believes the return of Archer will provide a further ‘fear factor’ to opponents
Archer looked relaxed as he warmed up with team-mates on the Headingley outfield, even emerging to join the huddle while holding his lunch on a china plate. But his return may yet be scuppered by the weather, which would be a blow to England’s preparations, with no warm-up game scheduled before their tournament opener against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.
They weren’t helped either by the absence on Monday of head coach Matthew Mott, who missed training to attend to a family matter. Buttler, meanwhile, could be called away at a moment’s notice for the birth of his third child.
But England have done their best to get their World Cup 15 together, recalling eight of them early from the IPL – a move that has gone down badly among sections of the Indian media.
‘Jos, Motty and Keysy wanted us all back together for this series,’ said Curran, who was player of the tournament when England triumphed 18 months ago.
‘I think it makes great sense, because we want to be playing as a team and get used to our roles. It’s quite hard going tournament to tournament when you haven’t really played together. This is a hugely important series.’
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