logo
Same again for England as Jofra Archer misses training due to family emergency

Same again for England as Jofra Archer misses training due to family emergency

The 30-year-old is expected to rejoin the squad on Tuesday in preparation for the second Test at Edgbaston as England look to strengthen their grip on the five-match series, but captain Ben Stokes will be leading an Archer-less side into battle.
Archer was called up to England's squad after the side secured a thrilling five-wicket victory in the series opener at Headingley last week.
Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥
Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025
Archer has not played Test cricket since February 2021 and played his first red-ball match after four years in Sussex's County Championship draw against Durham at Chester-le-Street last week.
Whenever his Test return comes, fellow England bowler Chris Woakes is excited to have Archer back around the team and believes his best days are still ahead of him.
He said: 'Brilliant for Jof, brilliant for us as a team. It is a big boost to have him back.
'When Jof is around he adds a lot to the group, not only as a player but as a person and as a character. He's obviously had a tough journey over the last few years with his injuries and it's credit to him the hard work he's put in to be back in this position to be able to hopefully play Test cricket again.
'More delighted for him than us really because I know how hard it is to go through long spells of injuries. We haven't had the lay offs he's had but even just a niggle here and there it can be hard mentally, so full credit to him and the opportunity to play for England again.
'His best is probably still ahead of him. I'm sure he's chomping at the bit to get back out there and show people what he has already done in the whites.
'We all know how good he can be but he's at an age where his best is still ahead of him, which is exiting for him and us.
'Hopefully when he does get back out there it will be great to have him back and great for the fans.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hijab-wearing jockey to make debut in professional race
Hijab-wearing jockey to make debut in professional race

Telegraph

time13 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Hijab-wearing jockey to make debut in professional race

Khadijah Mellah, who became the first hijab-wearing jockey to ride in a competitive race in Britain when she won Goodwood's Magnolia Cup in 2019, will return to the Sussex course on Friday evening for her first ride under rules as an amateur jockey. Mellah, 24, has been booked by Eve Johnson Houghton, for whom she rides out, to partner Uncle Dick in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap over a mile and one furlong. She has held an amateur licence for a year but, like lots of other amateurs who are not well connected, she has had to work hard and serve a three-year apprenticeship to get to the stage where she has earned a first ride. 'I'm absolutely buzzing,' Mellah said after getting the call from Johnson Houghton. 'It has been years in the making. I've really tried my hardest to continue my racing journey and it's an absolute honour to ride one of Eve's horses. I'm genuinely grateful that she's been true to her word that she would give me this opportunity. 'Amateur racing is hard to break into so I really am extremely grateful to get this chance and I'm determined to make the most of it. You get a million 'no's in this sport – it's the same for all aspiring young jockeys – so it's very nice when someone says 'yes' and gives you a chance. I'm so ecstatic.' Johnson Houghton said: 'Khadijah's been nothing but an asset to the yard since she started riding out earlier this summer. She rides well and she's fit, which is a good starting point for her first ride, she's bright, she's unfailingly cheerful and she works really hard. 'Uncle Dick is a legend. He loves Brighton and has run well at Goodwood. He's won charity races so he's good for an amateur and he'll look after her but he's quirky. On his day he would be the best horse in the race and may even start favourite but he picks and chooses his day – he's made Charlie Bishop look stupid a few times by falling out the back of the television. 'She's already ridden him out but I've said she has to ride him out every day this week so she knows him really well by Friday. I like having a runner in Gay's race. He was all for a bit of fun and he'd have been over the moon for his race to be Khadijah's first.' Bought up in Peckham, she initially learnt to ride at the Ebony Riding School in London and her success, at the first time of asking, in the Magnolia Cup was hailed as a huge step for the sport. The Muslim jockey was the subject of a documentary Riding a Dream, which was aired on ITV and has now progressed to the Riding a Dream Academy, which she helped start, at the British Racing School in Newmarket. The remarkable story of 18-year-old Khadijah Mellah and her journey to riding in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Riding A Dream. Saturday 12.15pm @ITV — ITV (@ITV) October 29, 2019 The programme is designed to encourage young people from all backgrounds to get a taste of racing and she was coaching students there, on their graduation morning, on Sunday. After the Magnolia Cup she returned to university in Brighton to complete her degree in mechanical engineering and while there rode out for Gary Moore. After that she joined Adam West as a full-time member of stable staff but has been based in Lambourn since he left to train in France last year. Mellah, who has nearly 20,000 followers on Instagram, has been riding out mainly for Charlie Hills and Johnson Houghton as well as fulfilling numerous commitments providing content to various racing social media outlets.

Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain
Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain

Glasgow Times

time2 days ago

  • Glasgow Times

Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain

The 21-year-old will lead England in three T20s against Ireland in Dublin from September 17-21. Bethell will break the existing record for an England captain, held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 years and 144 days old when he led a Test team against South Africa at Cape Town in 1888-89, and the Barbados-born all-rounder admits he does not have to look for inspiration in the role. History maker! 💥 Jacob Bethell is set to become our youngest ever England Men's captain against Ireland 👏 Congrats, Beth! — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 15, 2025 'The big thing I've noticed with Stokesy is he leads with actions,' Bethell said on Sky Sports about England's Test captain. 'He's always the guy who takes the precedents and takes the situation on himself. I'll be looking to do that as much as possible. 'Obviously he does that in a bit of a different way with bowling fast and stuff like that. 'I'll be trying to do that with bat and ball and in the field as much as possible. The biggest thing is trying to lead by example.' Bethell has received the opportunity as Harry Brook takes a breather following the ODI and T20 series against South Africa from September 2-14, the squads for which were also announced on Friday. England Test captain Ben Stokes leads by example with bat and ball, says Jacob Bethell (Ben Whitley/PA) Assistant Marcus Trescothick will step up as head coach in Ireland, with Brendon McCullum not making the trip, reprising the role he had in England's white-ball tour of the Caribbean last winter. 'Finding out, the first emotion is pride,' Bethell said of his appointment. 'Captaining England is going to be an honour and I can't wait to do it. 'It will be a good challenge, I'm looking forward to it. I've done quite a lot of captaincy growing up in terms of Under 19s and age grade things. 'It will be different captaining England obviously, but I like to think I read the game pretty well. 'I'll be looking to take what I do with my own game and just apply that to the captaincy. 'We had a great series against West Indies at the start of the summer with Brooky as captain and I enjoyed every minute of that. 'A 6-0 whitewash was kind of unbelievable. South Africa are coming here now and we're looking to perform there as well.' All-format quartet Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have also been taken out of the firing line against Ireland, giving them a rest in preparation for this winter's blockbuster Ashes. Fast bowling duo Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are not in any of the three squads as they start focusing on this winter's tour to Australia, which gets under way on November 21 in Perth. Over the Irish sea! 🌊 🏏 Our squad to take on Ireland in Malahide with Jacob Bethell in charge! 🫡 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 15, 2025 Wood had knee surgery in March and missed the entirety of the Test series against India. It was hoped he would play some part against South Africa or Ireland but his competitive comeback may now not be until England's white-ball trip to New Zealand in October and November, just before the Ashes. Uncapped fast bowler Sonny Baker has been rewarded for a string of encouraging showings in the past 12 months, included in the ODI squad to face the Proteas and in the group to face Ireland. National selector Luke Wright said: 'The series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage. 'He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity.'

Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain
Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain

South Wales Guardian

time2 days ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Jacob Bethell inspired by Ben Stokes after being named youngest England captain

The 21-year-old will lead England in three T20s against Ireland in Dublin from September 17-21. Bethell will break the existing record for an England captain, held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 years and 144 days old when he led a Test team against South Africa at Cape Town in 1888-89, and the Barbados-born all-rounder admits he does not have to look for inspiration in the role. History maker! 💥 Jacob Bethell is set to become our youngest ever England Men's captain against Ireland 👏 Congrats, Beth! — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 15, 2025 'The big thing I've noticed with Stokesy is he leads with actions,' Bethell said on Sky Sports about England's Test captain. 'He's always the guy who takes the precedents and takes the situation on himself. I'll be looking to do that as much as possible. 'Obviously he does that in a bit of a different way with bowling fast and stuff like that. 'I'll be trying to do that with bat and ball and in the field as much as possible. The biggest thing is trying to lead by example.' Bethell has received the opportunity as Harry Brook takes a breather following the ODI and T20 series against South Africa from September 2-14, the squads for which were also announced on Friday. Assistant Marcus Trescothick will step up as head coach in Ireland, with Brendon McCullum not making the trip, reprising the role he had in England's white-ball tour of the Caribbean last winter. 'Finding out, the first emotion is pride,' Bethell said of his appointment. 'Captaining England is going to be an honour and I can't wait to do it. 'It will be a good challenge, I'm looking forward to it. I've done quite a lot of captaincy growing up in terms of Under 19s and age grade things. 'It will be different captaining England obviously, but I like to think I read the game pretty well. 'I'll be looking to take what I do with my own game and just apply that to the captaincy. 'We had a great series against West Indies at the start of the summer with Brooky as captain and I enjoyed every minute of that. 'A 6-0 whitewash was kind of unbelievable. South Africa are coming here now and we're looking to perform there as well.' All-format quartet Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have also been taken out of the firing line against Ireland, giving them a rest in preparation for this winter's blockbuster Ashes. Fast bowling duo Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are not in any of the three squads as they start focusing on this winter's tour to Australia, which gets under way on November 21 in Perth. Over the Irish sea! 🌊 🏏 Our squad to take on Ireland in Malahide with Jacob Bethell in charge! 🫡 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 15, 2025 Wood had knee surgery in March and missed the entirety of the Test series against India. It was hoped he would play some part against South Africa or Ireland but his competitive comeback may now not be until England's white-ball trip to New Zealand in October and November, just before the Ashes. Uncapped fast bowler Sonny Baker has been rewarded for a string of encouraging showings in the past 12 months, included in the ODI squad to face the Proteas and in the group to face Ireland. National selector Luke Wright said: 'The series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage. 'He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity.' Seamer Matthew Potts and slow left-armer Tom Hartley have been recalled for the brief visit to Ireland but, despite a number of absentees, there is no recall for all-rounders Liam Livingstone or Sam Curran. England ODI squad v South Africa: H Brook (captain), R Ahmed, J Archer, S Baker, T Banton, J Bethell, J Buttler, B Carse, B Duckett, W Jacks, S Mahmood, J Overton, A Rashid, J Root, J Smith. England T20 squad v South Africa: H Brook (captain), R Ahmed, J Archer, T Banton, J Bethell, J Buttler, B Carse, L Dawson, B Duckett, W Jacks, S Mahmood, J Overton, A Rashid, P Salt, J Smith, L Wood. England T20 squad v Ireland: J Bethell (captain), R Ahmed, S Baker, T Banton, J Buttler, L Dawson, T Hartley, W Jacks, S Mahmood, J Overton, M Potts, A Rashid, P Salt, L Wood.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store