England remain hopeful that fast bowler Jofra Archer will be able to feature in the T20 World Cup in June as they look to defend their 50-over title; Watch every game of the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup live on Sky Sports
Friday 15 March 2024 12:45, UK
England fast bowler Jofra Archer took wickets as he continued return from injury in India, one of which broke the stumps.
Archer has not played a competitive match since the IPL last year and has been recovering from a stress fracture in his right elbow.
He is currently in India with Sussex for a 10-day training camp and did not bowl on the opening day of a two-day match against the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
But he joined the KSCA team as a substitute on Friday and took two wickets in the morning session, including one where he broke the stumps.
Archer will not be part of the IPL this year but England are optimistic he can be fit for the T20 World Cup in June. He averages 24.66 in T20I.
Due to his various injuries, Archer has been restricted to 15 T20Is for England since making his debut in 2019, including missing the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph in Australia after a two-year absence between March 2021 and March 2023.
The 28-year-old starred during the 50-over World Cup in 2019, taking 20 wickets and leading England to a famous victory at Lord's after being entrusted to bowl a Super Over against New Zealand.
White-ball captain Jos Buttler said this week: "We all know just what a special cricketer he is and it's been a tough few years for him not being able to get on the park and perform.
"With someone like him who is such a superstar, you're always optimistic that with the physios and doctors working, his body will just allow him to get back where he was.
"I know how hard he's been working at it and of course how desperate he is to come back.
"It's really exciting for him that hopefully he's going to get back to performing because as a captain he's someone you want to throw the ball to."
England will look to retain the T20 trophy at the tournament which takes place in West Indies and USA this June, live on Sky Sports, and have been grouped with Australia, Namibia, Scotland and Oman.
Buttler's side begin their title defence against Scotland in Barbados on June 4, before playing Australia at the same venue on June 8.
The hotly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will be staged in New York on June 9.
View the full fixture list of the T20 World Cup here. All the games will be available to watch live on Sky Sports.
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