Archer 'very interested' in Tests after new deal

Jofra Archer is "very interested" in playing Test cricket, according to captain Ben Stokes after the pace bowler extended his central contract with England.

Archer, along with seamers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts, has added a year to be tied to England up to September 2026, therefore taking in next winter's Ashes in Australia.

Jacob Bethell's rapid rise, including a Test debut against New Zealand last week, has continued with a two-year deal for the 21-year-old.

Archer, 29, has not played a Test since 2021 because of a string of injuries. Carefully managed by England, he has consistently been able to play white-ball internationals since May.

A return to Test cricket in the home summer of 2025 looked to have been complicated by a deal with Indian Premier League (IPL) side Rajasthan Royals.

"The excitement is understandable around Jofra," said Stokes. "The best thing is he is back on the field playing.

"The injuries and surgeries he has gone through could have ended careers so there is no rushing back."

Speaking before England's second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, for which the tourists have named an unchanged team, Stokes described his frustration at the International Cricket Council's (ICC) over-rate policy and said wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will return to the side next summer after missing this tour on paternity leave.

Archer's contract extension is significant. Back and elbow injuries have restricted him to 13 Tests since he made an electrifying debut in the 2019 Ashes.

There was confusion over whether he would enter last week's IPL mega-auction. Missing it would have meant losing a lucrative deal for the 2025 and 2026 seasons under new competition rules.

The IPL clashes with the early part of the domestic season in the UK. For Archer to play Test cricket, he is likely to have to prove his fitness in first-class matches.

England's first Test of the summer is against Zimbabwe in May and Stokes said Archer messaged him "a couple of months ago" saying "Zimbabwe?" but the IPL deal would now make that an unlikely Test comeback.

Instead, Archer's next chance to play first-class cricket could be two County Championship matches at the end of June for Sussex. If that goes well, he could be available for the latter stages of England's five-Test home series against India.

"No doubt he is going so well at the moment," said Stokes. "He will have to build the body up to handle the extra pressure of a Test match."

Bethell was only given a development deal last month, yet has been handed the improved contract after making an unbeaten 50 from 37 balls during England's eight-wicket win in the first Test.

The Warwickshire man also picked up his first IPL deal in the mega auction, signing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Carse, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, is another to get a first IPL contract, with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Bethell will again bat at number three for England when they look to seal the three-match series in Friday's second Test (22:00 GMT).

With Smith absent, Jordan Cox was due to make his debut in the first Test, only to break his thumb. Ollie Pope took the gloves, slid from his usual number three to six, and made 77 in the first innings before Bethell's pyrotechnics in the second.

Pope has reiterated his preference for batting at number three and Stokes said England will revert to type when Smith is back in the summer.

"We will no doubt see Pope back up to three and Smudge back into his role," said Stokes. "Last week we had a problem and we found a solution to it. We have looked back at that game and the whole team set-up looked really good."

Stokes, with a chequered injury history of his own, pulled up midway through his fifth over on the fourth and final morning in Christchurch after experiencing discomfort in his back.

"I had a good few days' rest," he said. "I've seen the physio to make sure we are all good for this Test match. I’m fine to bowl."

Both England and New Zealand were docked three World Test Championship points and fined 15% of their match fees for bowling their overs too slowly in Christchurch. The points penalty is one for each over they were short of the target and the fine 5% per over.

The match was over just after lunch on the fourth day. England were already out of contention to reach the final, though the punishment hits New Zealand's slim hopes.

Stokes first wrote on Instagram "good on you ICC, finished the game with 10 hours of play still left", then explained his frustrations go back to the 2023 Ashes, when his team were docked 19 points from the 28 they earned in that series.

"You totally understand why there is frustration from the fans," said Stokes. "We're not purposely bowling overs slower than the rules say. In the summer it doesn't get dark until till half 10 in England. Why not just make it you bowl your overs out if the light is sufficient enough for us to be able to do that?"

Stokes revealed he raised points with the ICC via the match referee during the Ashes and is yet to hear from the governing body. Because he has not had a reply he has not since signed the paperwork documenting his team's over-rate, which a captain is given at the end of each Test.

ICC rules state that sides should bowl 15 overs an hour, although if a team is bowled out inside 80 overs - as England did to New Zealand in the second innings - no penalty is imposed.

The 33-year-old pointed out it is easier to bowl overs in time in Asia, where Test matches are usually dominated by spin bowling, but not in countries where there are more overs of seam, which generally takes longer.

"I’m not the only one who shares the opinion that we would like to have a lot more communication with the ICC around this," said Stokes.