Jofra Archer returns as England announces squad for South Africa ODIs

Jofra Archer was recalled by England for the first time in over a year after being named in a 14-man squad for an upcoming three-match ODI series in South Africa on Thursday. Sussex fast bowler Archer was one of the stars of England's 2019 50-over World Cup triumph but his career has since been blighted by elbow and back injuries.

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The 27-year-old Barbados-born quick last played for England in a Twenty20 international against India at Ahmedabad in March 2021, but it is more than two years since the most recent of his 13 ODIs.

But having missed the whole of the 2022 English season through injury, Archer played for the second-string England Lions in a warm-up match against the Test side in Abu Dhabi last month ahead of their 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan.

Just six balls into the practice match, Archer hit Zak Crawley on the helmet with a bouncer. An England and Wales Cricket Board also statement issued Thursday said Archer was "recovering well from an elbow injury and is expected to return to international cricket in South Africa next month".

Meanwhile, rising star Harry Brook, fresh from three superb Test hundreds in Pakistan, has added to an ODI squad for the first time.

The three-match series will be played over six days. Two fixtures in Bloemfontein starting on January 27 before the final game takes place in Kimberley on February 1.

England ODI squad: The comeback of Jofra Archer

Jos Buttler (Captain)

Moeen Ali

Jofra Archer

Harry Brook

Sam Curran

Ben Duckett

Dawid Malan

Adil Rashid

Jason Roy

Phil Salt

Olly Stone

Reece Topley

David Willey

Chris Woakes

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Fixtures

Jan 27: South Africa v England, 1st ODI, Bloemfontein

Jan 29: South Africa v England, 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein

Feb 1:  South Africa v England, 3rd ODI, Kimberley