Jofra Archer is back bowling with a red ball for first time in four years heading towards the Ashes

With the Ashes looming, an injury-prone English star took a big step towards a Test comeback and there was something very familiar about it.

England's Jofra Archer is back in action. Picture: Glyn Kirk / AFP

Fearsome England fast bowler Jofra Archer took his first red-ball wicket in four years with a Kookaburra ball as he amps up his bid to be part of the Ashes this summer.

English officials have introduced the Kookaburra for the back half of the English county season, replacing the Dukes ball, to get as many players as possible used to it ahead of a monster series in Australia.

Archer tormented Australia’s batters during the 2019 Ashes before enduring a lengthy run of injuries that have prevented him playing any red-ball cricket since May 2021.

The now 30-year-old quick went to work with the Kookaburra for Sussex and took a wicket during his second spell, finishing with 1-28 from his 14-over spell that included six maidens.

It marked a significant step up in workload for Archer, whom England captain Ben Stokes wants for the Ashes campaign.

“Now I know my body can hold up to it, the mental part of the game (is a greater issue),” Archer told BBC Radio Sussex.

“Over the next couple of days I’m going to have a battle with it. It’s all good. I’ll keep trucking along.

Yes, Jof! ☝️ pic.twitter.com/7pM4ULfttk

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) June 23, 2025

“When the scoreboard got to 50 overs I was like, ‘It’s time to come off now’, but we got to the end of day and it wasn’t that bad.”

Archer played the last of his 13 Tests for England in February 2021 but said he felt ready to return to the arena.

“I guess so,” he said.

“I just want to get through the game. I’m glad I’ve finished a day of four-day cricket.”

Last week, Stokes said Archer was “absolutely desperate” to get back in the Test team.

“Randomly, a couple of times, he would just send me a text saying, ‘Zim?’ I was like, ‘Let’s just hold it there, all right’,” Stokes said before the series against India.

“He’s obviously had a horrific time with injuries, but he’s had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats.

“It’s really exciting for England but also more exciting for Jof that he’s in a position now where we’re able to have a plan in place and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.”

Originally published as Jofra Archer is back bowling with a red ball for first time in four years heading towards the Ashes