England's Archer may not be ready for second Test

Archer's absence is probably the most high-profile example of an England player missing a Test as a result of the IPL.

It strikes to the heart of the modern conflict between the money offered to the best players on the franchise circuit and the demands of Test cricket.

Multi-format England players will be affected on annual basis, with the end of the IPL often coming just before England's first Test of a home summer.

Whilst Archer was with Rajasthan until the end of their campaign, batter Jacob Bethell left eventual champions Royal Challengers Bangalore in order to rest a finger injury. Bethell is available to play for England at Lord's this week.

Archer's absence means England are without their premier fast bowler as they begin a rebuild following the dismal Ashes campaign. The series against New Zealand takes on added significance as a result of the 4-1 drubbing in Australia.

The Sussex man only returned to Test cricket after a four-year injury absence on this ground against India in July 2025. Archer was England's best bowler in the Ashes until he suffered a side strain and had to miss the final two Tests.

He signed for Rajasthan for the 2025 IPL season on a deal worth about £1.18m. Recent changes to IPL rules mean any players who withdraw from the competition for anything other than medical reasons can be banned from the competition for two years.

Along with Archer, England are also missing fellow pace bowler Brydon Carse after he suffered a broken wrist at the IPL.

Carse was part of England's pre-series training camp at Loughborough, but is not expected to feature in the New Zealand series.

The home side have trimmed their initial 15-man squad down to 12 for the first Test.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir will return as first-choice spinner after being overlooked for the Ashes. Uncapped Sonny Baker is also in the 12, along with Ollie Robinson, who has been recalled after a two-year absence.