England captain Ben Stokes has backed the decision to rest Jofra Archer for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, saying a different approach could risk losing players from international cricket.
Archer recently completed a busy IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals, playing 16 matches as the team reached the playoffs. England head coach Brendon McCullum has also indicated that the fast bowler could miss the second Test of the series.
Speaking on Wednesday, Stokes said he understood the concerns surrounding Archer’s absence but stressed that modern cricket presents challenges that did not exist in the past.
“I know it has been spoken about the last couple of weeks about that situation. I totally understand people’s frustrations around the situation but there is also another side to it,” Stokes said.
“A lot of it has got to do with the landscape of cricket and where it is at, at the moment… There is opportunity for cricketers now that there wasn’t 10 or 20 years ago.
“There is a situation in which it could get messy and players like Jofra might not play for England again if you handle it in a different way, and that is not good for anyone.”
In previous years, England players often left the IPL before the tournament ended in order to join national duty.
Stokes also turned his attention to the New Zealand series as England look to bounce back from a disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia.
England’s approach during the Ashes drew criticism from several former players. Among them was Michael Vaughan, who said the team needed to focus more on the basics.
Stokes, however, said the team’s focus remains on winning matches.
“There’s been a lot being said over a long period of time now, but what I say doesn’t really matter,” he said.
“What does matter is what happens at the end of the game this week, the end of the series, if we win or lose. You’ll be seeing the England team going out there still desperate to win.
“You’ve heard it from Brendon, we’ll go out there and try to win this series playing some good cricket.”
Fast bowler Ollie Robinson and spinner Shoaib Bashir are expected to be included in the final XI, which will be announced on Thursday.
Uncapped opener Emilio Gay and fast bowler Sonny Baker are also part of England’s 12 man squad for the opening Test.
