ENGLAND bowler Jofra Archer boosted his chances of a Test return after taking his first red-ball wicket in four years today.

The 30-year-old is playing his first red-ball match since May 2021, featuring for Sussex in their County Championship Division One match at Durham.

After impressing with the bat on Sunday, he got hold of the ball for the first time today and took a wicket during his second spell, trapping left-hander Emilio Gay leg before.

Archer, whose Test career has been derailed by a string of injuries, got through 10 overs in the afternoon session at Chester-le-Street, posting figures of one for 19, including five maidens.

England will be watching Archer’s progress keenly as there is a hope he could feature in the five-match Test series against India this summer ahead of a winter Ashes tour of Australia, where the fast bowler’s pace and bounce will be a valuable commodity.

Archer has played 13 Tests for England but none since February 2021.