Jofra Archer will be back training in an England shirt next month as his long awaited return from injury moves ever nearer.
Archer will be heading out to the UAE for an England Lions training camp alongside several members of the England Test team ahead of their three match tour of Pakistan, their first for 17 years.
And although he is not expected to play in the three day match between England and the Lions on November 23-25, his presence on the camp will be a huge boost to teammates and fans alike who are keen to see him back in action.
Archer played the last of his 42 international matches back in March 2021 before elbow and back injuries took their toll and ruled him out of action for more than a year.
The 27-year-old did train with England’s T20 side at the start of the year in Barbados with a view to returning last summer, but a lower back stress fracture kept him sidelined.
Now he is gradually building back towards full fitness, and along with Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse, the three fast bowlers will be continuing their rehab on the trip as the Test team gets ready for their next assignment.
There is plenty of international experience on the Lions trip with Haseeb Hameed, Matthew Fisher, Dan Lawrence and Matthew Potts all making the trip having played Test cricket this year.
While the most eye-catching name of the developing young players is 18-year-old leg spinning all rounder Rehan Ahmed who took his first championship five wicket haul and scored his first hundred in the same match for Leicestershire against Derbyshire.
The camp will also allow extra time for England’s bowlers on the tour to Pakistan to get some training in before the rest of the squad arrive on November 18.
ECB Performance Director Mo Bobat said: "It’s great to be able to recommence Lions developmental experiences and the camp represents a fantastic opportunity for a high potential group of players.
"The camp also supports the England Men's team in their preparation for Pakistan, allowing England and Lions players to work closely together in overseas conditions."
England Lions Training Group
Tom Abell, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Bohannon, Jack Carson, Sam Conners, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher, Haseeb Hameed, Tom Haines, Jack Haynes, Lyndon James, Dan Lawrence, Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith
Pace Bowler Rehab:
Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Brydon Carse (11-27 November).
Test Player Preparation:
James Anderson (6-19 November), Jamie Overton (6-19 November), Ollie Robinson (11-19 November), Jack Leach (11-19 November), Will Jacks (11-19 November).
