Jofra Archer in Sussex squad for Kent clash, eyeing first County Championship appearance since 2018

The fast bowler has been working his way back to fitness after an elbow problem ruled him out of England’s ODI series in India

When Jofra Archer faced Gloucestershire's second team: "For a young player, it couldn't be any better"

Jofra Archer is set for a first County Championship appearance since September 2018 after being named in Sussex’s squad for the visit of Kent.

The fast bowler has been working his way back to fitness after an elbow problem ruled him out of England’s ODI series in India. Upon returning home, he underwent minor surgery to remove a piece of glass from his right hand – an unusual injury suffered when he dropped a fish tank he had been cleaning in his bath.

Archer was subsequently ruled out of an Indian Premier League stint with Rajasthan Royals, and last week he played in his first match since the final T20I in Ahmedabad, turning out for Sussex’s second team against Surrey’s second string.

Much has changed since Archer’s last first-class outing for Sussex – a draw against Warwickshire three summers ago. Danny Briggs, Luke Wells, Michael Burgess and Harry Finch were all part of that side but have since left the club.

Archer claimed match figures of 4 for 114, before making 16 with the bat. His return this week comes at an opportune moment for Sussex, having won just one of their five games so far this season with a youthful squad in the midst of a transitionary period.

^{Jofra Archer turned out last week against Surrey's second team}

George Garton also returns to the squad, having been rested for Sussex’s defeat against Northamptonshire last week. Joe Sarro and Jamie Atkins drop out of the squad, meaning that Archer, Garton and Ollie Robinson could well form an exciting line-up of seamers.

Their opponents, Kent, are one of four winless sides in the competition thus far and will be without batsman Joe Denly, who is taking a break from the game for personal reasons.

The eyes of England coach Chris Silverwood will be on Archer, with the international summer due to begin on June 2 when England face New Zealand in the first of two Tests.

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