'I'm baffled': Former England batter questions Jofra Archer absence after full IPL stint

Former England batter Mark Butcher has questioned Jofra Archer's unavailability for England's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, saying he cannot understand why one of the country's premier fast bowlers is not involved despite a successful IPL campaign and a limited home Test schedule.

While much of the discussion surrounding England's team selection has focused on Ben Stokes' decision to bat at number seven, Butcher reserved some of his strongest comments for Archer's absence from the squad.

Archer arrives on the back of an outstanding IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, where he played a major role in the franchise's run to Qualifier 2. The fast bowler finished third in the Purple Cap standings after claiming 25 wickets in 16 matches and was widely regarded as one of the standout bowlers of the tournament.

Despite those performances, Archer will not feature in the opening Test at Lord's, a decision that left Butcher perplexed.

"I do not understand why you would have an asset that you pay an enormous amount of money to, and you’re not expecting them to show up and be a 12th man. I just don’t get it."

The former England batter said he struggled to find any justification for Archer not being available, particularly given the limited number of Tests England will play this summer.

"I’m baffled, and I also wish I were playing now. I can’t understand it. I can’t understand how there is a justification for it."

Butcher clarified that his frustration was not directed at Archer himself, but rather at the broader situation surrounding the fast bowler's availability.

"My point is I’m not slagging off Jofra Archer, I’m just in disbelief. There are only six Test matches in the summer; if you don’t play the first two, then there are four left."

England begin their three-match series against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday before travelling to The Oval for the second Test on June 17 and Trent Bridge for the final match on June 25.

The debate over Archer's absence comes at a time when England are seeking to carefully manage their fast-bowling resources. However, Butcher believes a player of Archer's quality should be involved whenever possible, particularly after demonstrating excellent rhythm and fitness throughout the IPL season.

Archer's absence from the Lord's Test did not come as a complete surprise given that he played the entirety of Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign, which stretched all the way to Qualifier 2. Nevertheless, Butcher believes England should have found a way to involve one of their premier fast bowlers, especially with only six home Tests scheduled this summer.

Alongside his comments on Archer, Butcher also questioned England captain Ben Stokes' decision to move down to number seven in the batting order.

"Why does he need to drop down to seven? I don’t understand it. I wonder whether that’s a move because Stokes has decided, I’m our best bowler, I’m going to take the new ball, which would not be the maddest thing in the world at all. That to me is a viable and valid option as far as the guys we’ve got."

Butcher suggested Stokes could instead follow a role similar to that performed by Ian Botham during his playing days.

"I’m thinking a very long way back to the eighties when Beefy (Ian Botham) bestrode the earth, and quite often he would bat five and open the bowling in the Test team. He was in the thick of everything. Always. I would rather see Ben at six and get back to his very best with the bat."

For now, though, it is Archer's absence that continues to puzzle Butcher, who believes England are leaving out one of their most valuable assets despite his excellent form and the relatively short Test programme ahead.