Key denies Archer concerns and backs him to be ‘one of best England have had’

Rob Key: ‘We’ve gone slower than we could have done’Fast bowler may be held back for third Test at Lord’sRob Key has played down concerns about Jofra Archer’s readiness for Test cricket, insisting England could have fast-tracked his comeback sooner and saying he trusts Ben Stokes not to flog such a precious commodity.Archer, 30, was the standout name when an otherwise unchanged squad was picked for the second Test against India that starts at Edgbaston next Wednesday. But coming after a four-year absence from first-class cricket, and just 18 overs with a red ball for Sussex this past week, the selection also raised eyebrows. Continue reading...

Comments

Similar News

Jamie Smith reveals the key quality England have to show in the third phase of Bazball as they prepare for second Test against India

Risk-free batting, no reverse scooping of Bumrah and even the post-match beers were low key... this was grown-up Bazball, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

England could pick Ollie Pope AND Jacob Bethell against India - but only with one key omission to side

Cricket news

Nathan Lyon denies he's planning his retirement - despite quitting one of the most important jobs in the Australian cricket team

Uncertainty around the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah only benefits England, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH as mystery surrounds world's best bowler ahead of second test at Edgbaston

England vs India: Jofra Archer to wait for comeback with hosts unchanged for second Test

How Ben Stokes can turn the tables on his nemesis Ravindra Jadeja - including the clever trick Ben Duckett pulls to dominate spinners: NASSER HUSSAIN

England make Jofra Archer recall decision for India test as team-mate speaks out

Aussie cricket captain Pat Cummins suffers every Test cricketer's worst nightmare ahead of West Indies clash

Sir Alastair Cook’s major Shane Warne regret speaks volumes after 'tough' relationship

Jamie Smith reveals the key quality England have to show in the third phase of Bazball as they prepare for second Test against India

Aussie cricket great slams national batting coach after poor showing in West Indies during first Test - 'need to create sound techniques'

Australia WIN first Test in Barbados following heroics from paceman Josh Hazlewood - and finish day three under lights in chaotic scenes

Cricket chiefs bring in new rule after England were left raging when India exploited loophole to claim series win

Jofra Archer primed for England Test reward after ending four years of 'heartache and pain'

Revealed: Why Jofra Archer may NOT play for England against India at Edgbaston despite fast bowler's recall after four-year hiatus

England’s Headingley win over India showed how Test cricket can deliver the gold standard of sporting suspense

Why Aussie cricket legend should regret using a one-word insult to attack rival star - even though it used to be a compliment down under

Disaster for Aussie cricket's brightest young star as umpiring dramas rock West Indies Test

England must not rush back Jofra Archer for the second India Test - the fast bowler's return is exciting, but hold him for Lord's, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

England make Jofra Archer decision for second Test against India after fast bowler returned to red ball cricket for Sussex

Jofra Archer returns to England squad before second Test against India

Michael Vaughan says England now know SEVEN of their Ashes XI and that Australia will be fearing Ben Stokes' side - as Phil Tufnell compares Ben Duckett to Aussie great

Lauren Bell opens up on competition for places under new head coach Charlotte Edwards as England bid to step up a level against India

Mark Wood 'excited' by possible Jofra Archer partnership for England as pair near return - but admits neither should expect an instant call-up

Another Israel vs Palestine scandal hits Aussie cricket as star Usman Khawaja stuns with shock boycott

India's troubled camp is already on the brink of meltdown and another defeat could see them unravel completely, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

England told 'don't rush Jofra Archer back' - as Sussex boss Paul Farbrace pinpoints when lethal bowler should play in India series

Australia's new-look cricket team get smashed off the park by the West Indies as fresh faces fail at the first hurdle

Risk-free batting, no reverse scooping of Bumrah and even the post-match beers were low key... this was grown-up Bazball, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

The sides chasing Michael Atherton's son, why Jonny Bairstow and Yorkshire have hit a stalemate and a front runner for England spinner Shoaib Bashir has emerged: COUNTY CRICKET TRANSFER ROUND-UP

England vs India - PLAYER RATINGS: Who put in the best international performance yet? Who proved Ben Stokes' top bowler? And whose display was a cause for concern?

There was magic everywhere in England's special win over India - it was a statement of intent for an epic year, writes OLIVER HOLT

Ben Stokes hails 'unbelievable' Ben Duckett after the opener's magnificent 149 helped England claim another heroic Headingley triumph

Joe Root sends emphatic reminder after guiding England to historic India victory

Stokes and his England side are not just history makers they are the entertainers

‘Complete cricketer’ – Stuart Broad hails England star after stunning India win

Jasprit Bumrah injury update from India after England win first Test

The England star who has come a long way and could get in a World XI - and a crucial difference between Ben Stokes' side and India: BUMBLE ON THE TEST

Ben Duckett's magical match-winning century against India proves he's no one-trick pony, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Ben Duckett leads Headingley heroics as England beat India by five wickets in first Test

England secure miraculous win over India in first test after Ben Duckett heroics

England chase down their second highest EVER total in thrilling first Test win against India for Ben Stokes' side

Shardul Thakur drags India back into contention against England and sets up thrilling final session

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett boost England hopes against India with resilient partnership on tense final day

Jofra Archer faces disciplinary action from the ECB ahead of England return

DAVID 'BUMBLE' LLOYD: My definitive ranking of the all-time greatest fast bowlers... Jimmy Anderson in sixth, no room for Stuart Broad but who takes top spot?

India cricket star Rishabh Pant discovers punishment for incident during England Test

Aussie cricket legend Ian Healy launches astonishing attack on one of the sport's brightest young stars

TEST MATCH BREAKFAST: No Ashes Test at Headingley in 2027 feels wrong and why ECB could sock it to Jofra Archer after comeback

Ben Stokes going on the defensive during Rishabh Pant's blitz surprised me, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

The untameable, unconventional beauty of Rishabh Pant's batting is a joy, writes OLIVER HOLT - the India star is wringing every drop of joy from his second chance

The England player who might become a problem for Ben Stokes - and could it be time for a star to return? BUMBLE ON THE TEST

Jofra Archer up for England Test call-up after ending four-year wait for first-class wicket - as Sussex fast bowler strikes against Durham

England star Josh Tongue sends warning to India ahead of 'blockbuster' final day of thrilling first Test

Josh Tongue mops up India's tail again as England fight back in first test

England set for gripping run-chase on final day of first Test against India after Rishabh Pant scored his second century of the match

Aussie cricket stars hit back after their former teammate accused them of GREED for putting their careers ahead of the team

TEST MATCH BREAKFAST: Tributes pour in for David 'Syd' Lawrence and why England are excited by a teenage fast bowler

Cricket fans go wild as star Sam Konstas posts thirst trap shirtless pics to social media

'Exhilarating' Jofra Archer backed to make Test return after first County Championship outing in four years

Haunted Harry Brook treads the fine line between greatness and sporting tragedy, writes OLIVER HOLT

Harry Brook's strokeplay is pure box office... but one of his favourite shots could be his downfall, writes NASSER HUSSAIN