Former England batsman Mark Butcher has asked Jofra ArcherHis unavailability for England’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s suggests he cannot understand why one of the country’s key fast bowlers is not included despite a successful IPL campaign and a limited home Test schedule.While much of the debate has focused around England’s team selection. Ben StokesDeciding to bat at number seven, Butcher saved some of his harshest comments for Archer’s absence from the squad.Archer arrives on the back of a stellar IPL 2026 season Rajasthan RoyalsWhere he played a vital role in taking the franchise to Qualifier 2. The fast bowler finished third in the Purple Cap standings after taking 25 wickets in 16 matches and was widely regarded as one of the standout bowlers of the tournament.Despite these performances, Archer would not feature in the opening Test at Lord’s, a decision that upset Butcher.“I don’t understand why you would have an asset that you pay a lot of money for, and you’re not expecting them to show up and be the 12th man. I just don’t get it.”The former England batsman said he struggled to find any justification for Archer’s unavailability, especially with England playing a limited number of Tests this summer.“I’m shocked, and I wish I was playing now. I can’t understand it. I can’t understand how it’s justified.”Butcher made it clear that his frustration was not with Archer himself, but with the wider situation surrounding the fast bowler’s availability.“My point is I’m not giving up on Jofra Archer, I’m just in disbelief, there’s only six Tests in the summer, if you don’t play the first two there’s four to go.”England begin their three-match series against New Zealand at Lord’s on Thursday before traveling to The Oval for the second Test on June 17 and Trent Bridge for the final on June 25.The debate over Archer’s absence comes at a time when England are trying to manage their fast bowling resources carefully. Butcher, however, believes that a player of Archer’s caliber should be included whenever possible, especially after showing great rhythm and fitness throughout the IPL season.Archer’s absence from the Lord’s Test was not entirely surprising as he played Rajasthan Royals’ entire IPL 2026 campaign, which spanned Qualifier 2. Nevertheless, Butcher believes England should have found a way to include one of their key fast bowlers, especially with only six home Tests scheduled this summer.Along with his comments on Archer, Butcher also questioned England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to move to seventh in the batting order.“Why does he need to drop to seven? I don’t understand it. I wonder if it’s a move because Stokes has decided, I’m our best bowler, I’m going to get a new ball, which wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world. For me it’s a viable and valid option as far as the selection of guys we have.”Butcher suggested that Stokes could instead follow the role played by Ian Botham in his playing days.“I’m thinking back to the Eighties when Beefy (Ian Botham) walked the ground, and often he would bat five and open the bowling in the Test team. He was involved in everything. Always. I’d love to see Ben at six and back to his best with the bat.”For now, though, it is Archer’s absence that perplexes Butcher, who believes England are giving up their most valuable asset despite their excellent form and relatively short Test programme.
