Jofra Archer may not be ready for the second England vs New Zealand Test

Archer’s absence is perhaps the most high-profile instance of an England player missing a Test as a result of the IPL.

It strikes at the heart of the modern conflict between the money paid to the best players in the franchise circuit and the demands of Test cricket.

Multi-format England players will be affected on an annual basis, with the end of the IPL often coming just before England’s first Test of the home summer.

While Archer stayed with Rajasthan until the end of their campaign, batsman Jacob Bethel left eventual champions Royal Challengers Bangalore to rest with a finger injury. Bethel is available to play for England at Lord’s this week.

Archer’s absence means England are without their main fast bowler as they begin to rebuild after a disappointing Ashes campaign. A 4–1 defeat by Australia gave the series against New Zealand added importance.

The Sussex man only returned to Test cricket in July 2025 against India after a four-year injury absence. Archer was England’s best bowler in the Ashes until he suffered a side strain and missed the last two Tests.

He signed a deal worth around £1.18 million for Rajasthan for the 2025 IPL season. A recent change in IPL rules means that any player who withdraws from the competition for any other reason than medical can be banned from the competition for two years.

Along with Archer, England are also missing fellow pace bowler Brydon Kerse due to a broken wrist in the IPL.

Curse was part of England’s pre-series training camp in Loughborough, but is not expected to feature in the New Zealand series.

The home side reduced their initial 15-man squad to 12 for the first Test.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir will return as the first choice spinner after being overlooked in the Ashes. Uncapped Sonny Baker is also in the 12, along with Ollie Robinson, who has been recalled after a two-year absence.