Ben Stokes says he wants Jofra Archer to be “fit and ready” for the Ashes against Australia next summer.
Archer, 27, made his return after 16 months out for the England Lions in this week’s tour match against England.
With the game in Abu Dhabi on the way to a drawFriday’s final day was canceled in favor of a clean session.
“It’s great to see him come back running with the ball in his hand. He’s one of the superstars of the international game,” Stokes said. Sky sports.
Archer hasn’t played for England since March 2021 due to two rounds of elbow surgery and then a stress fracture in his back.
“He’s just really excited to be back,” added test captain Stokes. “He’s obviously had a long spell out with injury and, exciting as it is, we have to be careful not to rush him because we don’t want to see Jofra Archer on the sidelines for that long. [time] Again.
“Hopefully we can get Jofra fit and ready, especially for the Ashes. That’s something we’re looking at.”
Archer agrees the Ashes, who start in June, are a target but is willing to be patient with his recovery so the injury doesn’t happen again.
“I’d rather take these last few months very seriously, more seriously than probably the whole rehab, because once that phase is done properly, it can set me up for the next three to four years injury-free,” said Archer, who threw nine overs on the opening day of the tour game and hit an unbeaten 20 when the Lions struck.
“I’m more than ready to do some extra bowling and stuff in and around another cricket just to get my name in the hat. [for the Ashes].”
Young Ahmed a “fantastic talent”
Stokes also praised teenager Rehan Ahmed’s ability to spin legs but says he shouldn’t be under too much pressure at this early stage in his career.
Ahmed, 18, was added to test squad for Pakistan series and will become England’s youngest Test player if he takes part in the tour.
“He’s a fantastic talent, he loves cricket, he spends all his time playing in the shadows in his bedroom,” Stokes said. “He loves it. I’m really excited to have him in the team, to have him go around the group and see what he has.
“We are also fully aware that he is not the finished project yet. I think it is important that his inclusion is not scrutinized too much.”
