England v India: Ben Stokes says it is “very important” for Jofra Archer to be around Test group

Since taking over in 2022, Stokes and McCullum have revolutionised England’s Test cricket with a positive, sometimes relaxed, approach.

Archer – one of England’s most exciting debutants in a generation in 2019 – last played a Test in February 2021, when Joe Root was captain and Chris Silverwood coach.

That Test was the last time Archer bowled in two innings of a red-ball match.

He played for Sussex against Durham last week and took 1-32 in 18 overs in the first innings but Durham did not bat a second time as the match ended in a draw.

“You can’t really control how a first-class game will go,” Stokes said.

“Here he can come and bowl. He can help out the lads. He can get used to the environment again and when the opportunity does come he is comfortable in it.

“There are benefits to both situations and at the end of the day me and Baz decided one what we thought was best for Jof.”

Having missed England’s training on Monday because of a “family emergency”, Archer had a lengthy bowl in the nets on Tuesday.

He bowled a long spell at Stokes, challenged the England captain on a number of occasions and with only three days between this Test and the third at Lord’s could make his Test return next week.

“He’s got the ball swinging quite nicely and effortless pace,” Stokes said. “It’s been a while since I faced him so it was a little bit of a wake-up call for me.”