ENG vs NZ 2026: 'We need to assess' - Brendon McCullum raises doubts over Jofra Archer's availability for 2nd Test Match

Head Coach Brendon McCullum has cast doubt over Jofra Archer's availability for England's second Test match against New Zealand. The right-arm fast bowler was not picked in the squad for the first game of the home summer following his stint representing the Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 Indian Premier League. 

Archer had an outstanding season in the IPL, where he took 25 wickets from 16 matches to finish third in the Purple Cap leaderboard. Following the conclusion of the franchise tournament, the right-arm fast bowler has gone back to Barbados, his country of birth, for a small break. 

McCullum stated that the team management will let Archer recover and work on his game in his own way during his break in Barbados. Once he is back in the country, the backroom staff will assess his fitness and decide whether he is fit and ready to play in the second Test match at the Oval, commencing from June 17. 

"Jofra we need to assess. He's having a little bit of a break at the moment. We've seen in the past we can leave Jof to his own devices, work on his game and follow a plan that has been set. He turns up having that followed that plan to a tee. When we see him we'll work out where he sits and if he's available for the second Test. If not, we'll look at the third Test," Brendon McCullum told BBC Sport. 

In Archer's absence, England have gone with a relatively new-look bowling attack, which includes the returning Sussex captain Ollie Robinson, along with Sonny Baker, who is yet to make his Test debut. The fast bowling duo have both been named in the playing XII ahead of the first Test at Lord's. 

Archer, meanwhile, last played five-day cricket during the Ashes series in Australia, where England suffered a 4-1 defeat. The 31-year-old did not enjoy the best of times Down Under, ending up with nine wickets from three matches at an average of 27.11. He did, however, take a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the third Test match in Adelaide.