England pace bowler Jofra Archer will not play Test cricket until 2025 but this summer’s T20 World Cup is “absolutely” a realistic goal, says managing director Rob Key.
Archer, 29, has not played for England in any format since March 2023 because of an elbow injury.
The T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States starts on 1 June.
“The whole plan with Jofra is he is going to play white-ball cricket this summer,” Key told Sky Sports.
“Then hopefully next summer when we play India then the Ashes [in Australia] we get him back for Test cricket.”
Archer bowled the super over when England beat New Zealand in the final of the 2019 World Cup.
However, his career has been hampered by injuries since and he missed the entire home summer last year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
Archer, who signed a two-year central contract with England in October, last played a Test in February 2021.
“Jofra’s been out at Sussex’s pre-season in India and bowled quickly out there. He bowled really well,” Key said.
“He’s now just gone back to the Caribbean, where he will play a little bit of club cricket, stuff like that.
“It’s all about getting himself ready for that T20 World Cup. He’ll hopefully play the Pakistan [T20] series [in May], but it’s all fingers crossed with Jofra at the moment.
“What we’re going to do is take it slower [rather] than trying to go too quickly so we get him back for not just a short period, but a long period.”
England play three Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer.
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