Jofra Archer ruled out of Test cricket until 2025, T20 World Cup ‘absolutely’ realistic goal for England star

Jofra Archer is not expected to return to Test cricket until at least 2025, but a spot at the T20 World Cup in the summer is a realistic option for the pace bowler.

After sustaining an elbow injury, the 29-year-old England star has not represented his country in any format since March 2023.

England will play three Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka, while Archer last featured in a Test match in February 2021.

Although he has been ruled out of playing Test cricket until next year, the T20 World Cup which starts on June 1, could see Archer make his England return.

"The whole plan with Jofra is he is going to play white-ball cricket this summer," England managing director Rob Key told Sky Sports.

"Then hopefully next summer when we play India then the Ashes [in Australia] we get him back for Test cricket."

Archer played a pivotal role in one of England’s most famous moments, bowling the super over which saw Eoin Morgan’s side clinch the 2019 World Cup at Lord’s against New Zealand.

Since that famous day, Archer - who signed a two-year contract with England in October - has been hampered by injuries which forced him to miss out on a home summer last year.

"Jofra's been out at Sussex's pre-season in India and bowled quickly out there. He bowled really well," Key added.

"He's now just gone back to the Caribbean, where he will play a little bit of club cricket, stuff like that.

"It's all about getting himself ready for that T20 World Cup. He'll hopefully play the Pakistan [T20] series [in May], but it's all fingers crossed with Jofra at the moment.

"What we're going to do is take it slower [rather] than trying to go too quickly so we get him back for not just a short period, but a long period."

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