Jofra Archer is all set to make his much-awaited comeback for England after almost two years in the ODI series against South Africa, starting in January. This also turns out to be great news for Mumbai Indians as a match-ready Archer before IPL can really help them with their plans moving forward.
A Little Background
Archer burst onto the scene in stunning fashion in 2019 and played a key role in the Cricket World Cup triumph that year. But he has not played for England since March 2021. The 27-year-old pace bowler suffered elbow problems requiring two operations, and his return to action fell apart in May due to a stress fracture of the lower back.
Last month, he joined England's Lions squad in training and bowled nine overs against the senior England team in a warmup match in Abu Dhabi. That raised hope he was close to full fitness.
ENG vs SA ODI Series - Finally
Archer is in a 14-man squad for the three-ODI tour of South Africa, a rearranged series that was abandoned in December 2020 after a COVID-19 scare saw England fly home early. Harry Brook's surge to prominence continues with his first ODI call-up after a starring role in the historic test series whitewash in Pakistan and the T20 World Cup win.
Seamer Reece Topley, who was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after tripping on a boundary sponge, was on track to be ready. Ben Duckett, who played the last of his eight ODIs in 2016, also returns having re-established himself in the T20 and test setups. Mark Wood and Joe Root are rested before the test tour of New Zealand in February.
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The ODI series will start on January 27 and the last ODI will be played on Feb 1.
England's Squad For ODI Series vs SA
England: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes.
