{"id":176286,"date":"2026-06-03T07:23:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176286"},"modified":"2026-06-03T07:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:53:28","slug":"stokes-backs-archer-amid-criticism-over-ipl-commitments-and-absence-from-first-test-against-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176286","title":{"rendered":"Stokes backs Archer amid criticism over IPL commitments and absence from first Test against New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71057076\">England captain Ben Stokes said the \u201clandscape of cricket\u201d has changed as he defended Jofra Archer\u2019s absence from the first Test against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s because of the fast bowler\u2019s IPL commitments.<\/p>\n<p>Archer was part of the Rajasthan Royals side that lost to Gujarat Titans in the IPL qualifier last Friday and is not with England for the first Test, starting Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The 31-year-old is now in Barbados, the country of his birth, and will not return to England until after the first Test. The second Test at The Oval begins on June 17, and Archer could miss that match as well.<\/p>\n<p>Archer, however, still has an England central contract.<\/p>\n<p>Former England captain Michael Atherton has called the situation incredibly frustrating, while Simon Doull, the former New Zealand pacer, described the injury-prone fast bowler\u2019s absence from the series opener as \u201cabsolutely ludicrous\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Stokes, speaking to reporters at Lord\u2019s on Wednesday, said there were two sides to the issue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI totally understand people\u2019s frustrations around it, but there is another side to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of it has to do with the landscape of cricket and where it is at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of points people are making around Jof and that situation, are to do with the landscape when they were playing.<\/p>\n<p><b>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/pat-cummins-ipl-2027-participation-workload-management-srh-australia\/article71055812.ece#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pat Cummins might skip next IPL because of heavy Australia workload<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s completely different now. There\u2019s opportunities for cricketers now that there was not 10, 15, 20 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, in an ideal situation it would be unbelievably great to have everyone who you want available at every single opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is not the way of cricket at the moment. There is so much more out there for players.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stokes said no one should question Archer\u2019s desire to play for England.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a situation where it could get messy and players like Jofra might not play for England again if you handle it in a different way, and that is not good for anyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJofra has shown that he\u2019s committed and loves playing for England. Just because he\u2019s not available for this first Test match does not change that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 03, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/jofra-archer-criticised-miss-england-test-ipl-commitments-rajasthan-royals-cricket-news\/article71057076.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>England captain Ben Stokes said the \u201clandscape of cricket\u201d has changed as he defended Jofra Archer\u2019s absence from the first Test against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s because of the fast&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":176287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-176286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PTI05_29_2026_000554A.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":171738,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=171738","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":0},"title":"Jofra Archer\u2019s IPL stay a \u2018collaborative decision\u2019, says Rajasthan Royals head coach Sangakkara","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As the debate continues within England cricket over Jofra Archer\u2019s decision to remain in the IPL ahead of the home Test against New Zealand, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara insisted the fast bowler\u2019s extended stay was the result of a \u201ccollaborative decision\u201d involving both the player and the ECB.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176191,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176191","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":1},"title":"England aims to erase Ashes scars against New Zealand","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England will have a chance to prove it has learned from its Ashes drubbing when it faces New Zealand in the first Test of its home season at Lord\u2019s on Thursday. The English were swept aside 4-1 in Australia in a series that ended in January, sparking renewed criticism of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176026,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176026","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":2},"title":"England squad for first Test against New Zealand: Shoaib Bashir, Ollie Robinson recalled","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England announced its 12-player squad for the \u200bfirst Test against New Zealand, which \u200cbegins at Lord\u2019s on Thursday. Shoaib Bashir has been \u200cpicked \u2060as first-choice spinner despite \u2060not featuring in the entire Ashes series. Ollie Robinson makes his return \u200bto the \u200cTest squad for the first time since February 2024\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780439791_image2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780439791_image2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780439791_image2013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780439791_image2013.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780439791_image2013.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":175869,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=175869","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":3},"title":"Bethell fit to play for England in Test series against New Zealand; coach McCullum calls for \u2019refined\u2019 Bazball","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England No. 3 batter Jacob Bethell is fit to play the first Test against New Zealand starting on Thursday despite having to cut short his time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) because of a finger injury on his left hand. Bethell was forced to leave eventual IPL champion Royal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780410466_image2010.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780410466_image2010.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780410466_image2010.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780410466_image2010.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780410466_image2010.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":174256,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=174256","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":4},"title":"IRE vs NZ, one off Test: Tickner strikes as New Zealand thrashes Ireland ahead of England series","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Blair Tickner took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket as New Zealand hammered Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in a one-off match in Belfast on Friday. The comprehensive victory saw New Zealand win with more than a day to spare in a match that was only scheduled\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ireland_New_Zealand_Test_Cricket_28479.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ireland_New_Zealand_Test_Cricket_28479.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ireland_New_Zealand_Test_Cricket_28479.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ireland_New_Zealand_Test_Cricket_28479.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ireland_New_Zealand_Test_Cricket_28479.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173288,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173288","url_meta":{"origin":176286,"position":5},"title":"England expects Jacob Bethell to be fit for New Zealand opener","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England said on Wednesday that they expect Jacob Bethell to be fit for next week\u2019s first Test against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s after the top-order batsman suffered a finger injury playing in the Indian Premier League. The left ring finger injury prompted the 22-year-old to cut short his IPL campaign\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP01_07_2026_000087A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP01_07_2026_000087A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP01_07_2026_000087A.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP01_07_2026_000087A.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP01_07_2026_000087A.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-JRk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=176286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/176287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=176286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=176286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=176286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}