England plans to continue managing Jofra Archer’s workload carefully during their upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. Archer bowled only 3.3 overs in the rain-affected T20I series that ended in a draw.
This year, Archer has been gradually reintroduced to international cricket. He featured in two T20Is against Pakistan in May before playing all eight of England's matches in June's T20 World Cup. However, he did not participate in the latter half of the Blast group stages for Sussex and was strategically rested during the Hundred, much to the disappointment of Southern Brave captain James Vince.
Since the Hundred, Archer has played in just two matches—one for Sussex in the T20 Blast quarter-final and the other for England in their loss at the Utilita Bowl. Though rested for the Cardiff match, he was set to play in the series decider, which was unfortunately washed out due to rain in Manchester.
Archer has demonstrated why England values him so highly, especially after recovering from long-term back and elbow injuries. He was England’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup and showed his skill once again on Wednesday by bowling Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett in consecutive deliveries.
Archer is part of England’s 15-man squad for the ODI series starting Thursday in Nottingham. However, it’s likely he’ll be rested for one or two games, as he hasn’t played a 50-over match in 18 months. Despite his ambitions to return to red-ball cricket, Archer hasn’t played a first-class game since May 2021.
England captain Jos Buttler told Sky Sports that Archer’s workload will need to be carefully managed throughout the series. Buttler highlighted the difference in intensity between T20s, where bowlers deliver just four overs, and ODIs, which require a much heavier workload.
England’s interim coach Marcus Trescothick echoed this sentiment, explaining that Archer is aware of the long-term plan to monitor his workload. Trescothick said the plan was discussed well in advance, and everyone involved—coaches, directors, and physios—agreed on the approach to managing Archer’s participation in the ODI series.
Trescothick, who will be involved in England's upcoming tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, added that his coaching style has been shaped by working with Brendon McCullum. This alignment, he believes, will ensure a smooth transition when McCullum takes over the team full-time in January.
"I’m doing things in a way that aligns with how Brendon will manage the team," Trescothick noted, adding that his methods mirror McCullum’s approach, although with his own personal touch. He expects the coaching transition to be seamless when McCullum assumes full responsibility across formats.