Archer played a key role in England’s 2019 World Cup win
Jofra Archer is in line for his first England cap in almost two years after being included in the one-day squad to play South Africa early next year.
The 27-year-old fast bowler has not played for England since March 2021 due to back and elbow injuries.
Test batsmen Ben Duckett and Harry Brook feature while bowler Reece Topley recovers from the ankle injury he picked up in the T20 World Cup in October.
The sides will play in three one-day internationals starting on January 27.
Mark Wood has been rested after the 3-0 Test series against Pakistan, while Joe Root has not been named in the squad.
The former Test captain Root has signed for Dubai Capitals in the International T20 League, which runs in the UAE from January 13 to February 12.
All-rounder Liam Livingstone, who injured his knee during the second day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, misses out.
The series will act as the start of England’s preparations for the defense of the 50-over world title in India in the autumn, although a two-Test tour of New Zealand follows two weeks after the final ODI.
Injury has frequently interrupted Archer’s England career since his Test debut in August 2019.
Archer made a sensational start to his international career in 2019, batting super in the World Cup final and taking 22 wickets in the Ashes series later that summer, but his progress has since stalled.
After recovering from two elbow surgeries, he fractured his back in May, knocking him out for the season.
He played for the English Lions in a practice match against the full England squad in the United Arab Emirates last month. He has otherwise made two first-team appearances since his last England appearance – both for Sussex last May.
The three-match series in South Africa was originally due to be played in 2020, but England flew home after the T20 leg following Covid-19 concerns.
England are also scheduled to tour Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20s in March.
“He wouldn’t go if he couldn’t play a full role”
Former England bowler Steven Finn believes that Archer can play an important role in the series.
“He wouldn’t have been included in this squad – which is only 14 players – if they didn’t expect he could play a full part in the series,” Finn told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
“England are not in the business of using full internationals for players to build their fitness.
“The fact that he has missed so much cricket is a shame because he is in the prime of his career in terms of age.
“Fixing the injury and finding a sensible, manageable path back to playing the longer format of the game where everyone wants to see him is a logical progression.”
England’s one-day squad will play South Africa
Jos Buttler (c, wk), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan. Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Ollie Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes
Schedule
January
27 1st ODI, Bloemfontein (11:00 GMT)
29 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein (08:00 GMT)
February
1 3rd ODI, Kimberley (11:00 GMT)
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