'Bringing Archer into the XI is a gamble' - Nasser Hussain warns England ahead of second Test

Former England captain Nasser Hussain admitted that including Jofra Archer in the second Test against India would be a significant gamble. Archer has been recalled to the England setup after a series of injuries kept him out of the Test squad for the past four years.

He made his return to first-class cricket on Sunday, turning out for Sussex, and has now been named in England’s squad for the second Test, set to begin on July 2. Hussain noted that while fans will be excited to see Archer back in the red-ball squad, rejoining the Test setup after such a long break could be mentally challenging for the pacer.

"Firstly you have to say it's good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it's great to see him back in the squad, he hasn't played a Test match for four years. Fundamentally if you're an England fan you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad," said Hussain to Sky Sports.

Hussain cautioned against selecting the right-arm pacer for the Birmingham Test and warned that it could be risky for his body. He suggested it would be wiser to give him another week and consider playing him in the Lord’s Test instead.

"I think it's too much of a risk this week, but it may have gone so well - I don't know Jofra Archer's body - it may have gone so well that they say 'we'll play you this week'. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?" Hussain said.

"I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don't know if it's worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord's. He's only just made his first-class comeback for Sussex for four years this week where he bowled 18 overs. When Archer's fully fit, he is one of the best in the world. He is absolutely box office; he has that raw pace. But unfortunately for him, he hasn't been fully fit for a very long time. So it is a gamble," he added.

Hussain outlined three possible approaches for handling Archer’s return: to leave him at Sussex for more game time or play him directly at Edgbaston. He also added that include him in the squad to assess his readiness through regular practice sessions.

"They could have made three decisions with him. Leave him at Sussex to play another County Championship game, I think they play Sunday at Warwickshire, and then pick him for Lord's for the next Test. The problem with that is then he'll have played three games in three weeks, that Lord's Test his third, having not played for four years," Hussain said.

"Another option is to pick him and play him, which they may well do at Edgbaston. Or pick him in the squad, get some overs into his legs every morning, every lunchtime, every tea after play and have a look how he is,” he added.

The cricketer-turned-commentator questioned the urgency of rushing Archer’s return and suggested it might be good to wait another week. He acknowledged England’s focus on the long term, particularly the Ashes and conceded they must assess if Archer can manage two upcoming Tests.

"What is the hurry when we've waited so long? Why not wait another week just to make sure? Obviously they've got one eye on the future as well. It's not just about Edgbaston and Lord's and this series. We know what's coming up next and they would love to have Archer involved Down Under. Bowling fast is hard work and it is a risk. It's a risk they're willing to take and I think they have to take before the winter, they have to find out if Jofra can get through maybe two of these next four Test matches," he concluded.