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Simon Doll – the former Black Caps pacer – has criticized Jofra Archer’s omission from England’s Test squad to face New Zealand, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” that the fast bowler could miss the first two matches of the series.
The 2019 World Cup winner was allowed to continue playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL playoffs instead of joining Brendon McCullum’s squad for the first Test.
His omission has drawn widespread criticism from fans and pundits – former England captain Michael Atherton previously called the situation incredibly frustrating – and head coach McCullum has now cast further doubt over his involvement in the remainder of the series.
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Jofra Archer stepped up to the plate to take three wickets and three catches in the Rajasthan Royals IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Michael Atherton has shared his disappointment that Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test against New Zealand.
“Jofra has to evaluate us,” McCallum said BBC Sport. “He’s getting a bit of a break at the moment.
“We’ve seen in the past that we can leave Jofra to his own devices, work on his game and follow a plan that’s been set. He comes back following that plan.
“When we see him we will work out where he sits and whether he is available for the second Test. If not, we will look at the third Test.”
‘He has no interest in playing Test cricket’
Jofra Archer of Rajasthan Royals during IPL (Associated Press)
speaking on Sky Sports Cricket In the podcast, Dull criticized both Archer and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for their handling of the situation, while praising New Zealand’s approach to handling the same scheduling dilemma.
“It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
“How do you pay this guy up to £1m a year and he’s not available for your first Test match? It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“The last time New Zealand were here… Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry were all practicing with a red ball between IPL games and going over and over so they were ready to arrive.
Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer, IPL (Associated Press)
“I think they came five days before the first Test after the IPL and that previous tour. Well, it didn’t work. New Zealand lost the series 3-0. But there’s no reason why Archer couldn’t have bowled six, seven overs.
“The fact that he is not doing that tells me that he has no interest in Test cricket.
“In the middle of the day, he has to bowl five overs, six overs, seven overs with the red ball so he’s ready to go.
“And there’s enough time. If you do it between games, there’s enough time to come back here for a week and get ready for a Test match. There’s no problem with that.
“So I think it’s completely wrong.”
England’s archer replacement who?
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David Gower says he is unhappy that IPL stars like Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethel are still in India ahead of England’s first New Zealand Test.
With Archer out, England have reason to worry about the strength of their fast bowling department.
Some of those concerns may be assuaged by the return of high-quality pacer Ollie Robinson to the Test squad for the first time in more than two years – although former England captain Nasser Hussain believes he still has work to do at international level.
“I like the fact that they have involved him – Ollie Robinson is a brilliant bowler,” Hussain said Sky Sports Cricket podcast
“He let (McCallum) down, and that’s what you have to prove to people.
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Sky Sports’ James Cole analyzes England’s new-look squad for their first Test match against New Zealand.
“When things go his way and it’s all around, his stats and his skills are as good as anybody. I think Brendan calls him world class.
“But that’s not what defines the people he’s replacing. It’s not defined when hooping around James Anderson or Stuart Broad or Chris Woakes.
“When it gets tough – and it stops moving, and the ball gets soft, and you’re coming in for your fourth spell and your body gets stiff and you have to take the new ball at 6.30pm – that’s when Anderson, Broad and Woakes showed their mettle.
“And it will be a test for Ollie Robinson. Because this is Test cricket.”
Watch the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, live Sky Sports Cricket And main event Thursday from 10am (11am first ball). Didn’t get the sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream with NOW.
