England in South Africa: Jofra Archer selected for one-day international series

Jofra Archer is in contention for his first England appearance in almost two years after being named in the one-day squad to face South Africa early next year.

The fast bowler, 27, has not played for England since March 2021 due to back and elbow injuries.

Test hitters Ben Duckett and Harry Brook are on board, while bowler Reece Topley has recovered from the ankle injury he suffered at the T20 World Cup in October.

The teams will play three one-day international matches, starting on January 27.

Mark Wood was rested after Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series shutout, while Joe Root was not named in the squad.

The former Test captain Root has signed for Dubai Capitals in the T20 International League, which takes place in the United Arab Emirates from January 13 to February 12.

The versatile Liam Livingstone, who suffered a knee injury on the second day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, is absent.

The series will mark the start of preparations for England’s defense of their 50-year world title in India in the autumn, although a two-test tour of New Zealand will follow two weeks after the final ODI.

archer does an exciting start to his international career in 2019, winning the super in the World Cup final and taking 22 wickets in the Ashes series later that summer, but his progress has since been halted.

After recovering from two bouts of elbow surgery, he suffered a stress fracture in his back in May, which ruled him out of the season.

He played for the England Lions in a practice match against the full England squad in the United Arab Emirates last month. Otherwise, he has made two first-team appearances since his last England appearance – both for Sussex last May.

South Africa’s three-match series was originally due to be played in 2020 but England returned home after the T20 stage following Covid-19 concerns.

England are also due to visit Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20s in March.

“He wouldn’t go if he couldn’t play a full role”

Former England bowler Steven Finn thinks Archer could be in line to play a big role in the series.

“He wouldn’t be named to this squad – which has just 14 players – if they hadn’t anticipated that he could play a full part in the show,” Finn told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

“England don’t usually use full international matches for players to develop their fitness.

“The fact that he has missed so much cricket is a shame as he is in the prime of his career.

“Adjusting the injury and having a sensible, managed path back to the longer format of the game, where everyone wants to see it, is a logical progression.”

The England team of one day will face South Africa

Jos Buttler (c, wk), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan. Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes