We never did believe Jofra was finished

KEY CALL FOR ENGLAND ACE

- By Mike Walters

ENGLAND supremo Rob Key says Jofra Archer’s Test comeback after a four-year intermission will be his reward for fighting through the “heartache and pain”.

Archer has been included in the squad for the second Test against India, starting at Edgbaston on Wednesday, after bowling just 18 overs in red-ball cricket since 2021.

And managing director Key insists he never gave up hope of seeing England’s 2019 World Cup final super-over hero unleashed on the Test stage again - despite several elbow and back injuries.

Archer bowled 18 overs for Sussex in their county championship draw with Durham earlier this week, taking 1-32, and that was enough to convince the England think-tank it was time to recall their Barbados-born warhead.