The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been announced a 15-member England squad for the second test against India which marks the return of Jofra Archer to the test squad after four years.
He has been out of the red-ball cricket due to several multiple injuries and was out of the Test scheme of things. Jofra Archer is the only change to the England squad that was convened for the five-wicket defeat of the tourists in the opening Test at Headingley.
The Sussex head coach, Paul Farbrace, suggesting it would make more sense to hold him in reserve for the third test in the series.
“I would be definitely sticking with Chris Woakes for Edgbaston because he knows the pitch inside out,” the former England assistant coach said.
“Why change the team? They’ve just won the Test at Headingley. They’ve set themselves up nicely for the series. If I was in their situation, my honest answer would be that I would save him for the third Test match. You have to be careful that he’s only bowled 18 overs of red-ball cricket.”
This significantly boasts the bowling department of the Three Lions ahead of the second tests. Sam Cook and Jacob Bethell are back after having been released to play County Cricket midway during the first test.
Ben Stokes-led side secured a comfortable victory in the first test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy despite India dominated the game until day 04 of the game. Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett were the centurions for the hosts while the visitors had five centuries. However, the Men in Blues failed to defend the 371 target on day 05 at Leeds.
Leading the series 1-0, England will play India in the second match of the series between 02 and 06 July 2025 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
England squad for 2nd Test vs India: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Betthel, Harry Brook, Byrdon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
