As England prepare for the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, leading cricket analysts and former England players Stuart Broad and Nasser Hussain have voiced serious concerns about the inclusion of Jofra Archer in the playing XI. Archer, who is featuring in his first Test series in four years, has only recently returned from significant elbow and back injuries.
The 30-year-old fast bowler sat out the first two Tests of the series but made an impressive impact upon his return, taking five wickets at Lord’s and four more during the drawn match in Manchester. While his performances have been encouraging, experts believe that risking him for the final Test could backfire.
Stuart Broad: “We Can’t Bowl Archer Into the Ground”
Speaking to Sky Sports, Stuart Broad emphasized the need for careful workload management, especially given Archer’s injury history. We can’t not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years,Broad warned.
Broad suggested that England should instead consider fast bowler Josh Tongue, who began the series and showed some promise—even if he primarily dismissed lower-order batters. You probably have a natural replacement for Archer in Tongue,he added.
Jamie Overton Added to the Squad to Support Fatigued Pace Attack
England have included pace-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton in their squad for the final Test to strengthen their tiring bowling lineup. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have featured in all four matches so far, while Ben Stokes continues to battle a minor niggle.
Stokes, demonstrating his typical determination, has said he would “run through a brick wall” to be available for the final Test, which begins on Thursday. However, his fitness remains a concern, and England may have to rely on rotation to preserve key players.
India Seek Series Draw as England Face Selection Dilemma
India are aiming to level the series with a win at The Oval, which raises the stakes significantly for the final match. While England will want to finish the series strongly, they must weigh that ambition against the risk of aggravating Archer’s condition.
This puts team selectors in a difficult position—whether to push for a victory now or think long-term and preserve their most explosive pacer for the Ashes series against Australia in just four months.
Nasser Hussain: You Can’t Expect Archer to Play Three in a Row
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has echoed Broad’s warnings. “I don’t think you can have Archer playing three on the bounce coming back after four years,” he told Sky Sports. Hussain believes it’s unrealistic to expect Archer to maintain full match fitness through such a tight schedule.
Instead, he supports including Gus Atkinson, provided the seamer is fit. “Atkinson should definitely play on his home ground if available,” he said. Atkinson has also returned from a long injury break, but he offers pace and bounce, which could prove valuable.
Ashes Looming: England Must Prioritize Long-Term Planning
One of the most compelling arguments for resting Archer is the upcoming Ashes series. England are expected to face a strong Australian side, and Archer is likely to be a key figure in England’s plans to reclaim the urn.
Fielding him now could risk a fresh injury that may sideline him for the entire Ashes. With that in mind, managing his comeback carefully is more critical than ever. Playing three consecutive Tests so soon after a four-year absence might be pushing the limits.
Squad Depth Will Be Tested at The Oval
The final Test provides a golden opportunity for backup bowlers like Tongue, Overton, and Atkinson to prove themselves under pressure. With Woakes and Carse already exhausted, fresh legs might not only reduce injury risk but also bring new energy into the squad.
Selecting a balanced attack while protecting valuable assets like Archer will test England’s depth and strategic foresight.
Resting Archer Now Could Pay Off Later
England’s team management faces a tough decision. They must balance the immediate desire to end the series on a high against the longer-term objective of preparing a full-strength squad for the Ashes.
By resting Jofra Archer and giving opportunities to other pace options, England may not only safeguard one of their most valuable players but also build resilience in their fast-bowling unit.
