Former England pacer Stuart Broad suggests resting Jofra Archer for the upcoming fifth Test against India at The Oval to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes series in Australia. Archer, who recently made his Test comeback after a four-year absence, has impressed with five wickets at Lord’s and four more in Manchester.Archer marked his return to Test cricket at Lord’s with a wicket on his third delivery and continued his form into the fourth Test at Manchester.“We can’t not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years,” Broad said on Sky Sports.England’s pace attack has seen Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes featuring in all four matches, while Archer has played two consecutive Tests since his return.India managed to draw the fourth Test in Manchester through centuries from Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, setting up a series decider at The Oval starting Thursday.England has several pace options available for the final Test, including Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton.“I think Gus Atkinson has to play. I know he has not had any workload, but we need to see him. He hasn’t been really challenged against top-level opposition in Test cricket yet,” Broad said.“Carse looked knackered in the fourth Test. He has been a trier and given absolutely everything, but looks like his legs have left him for this series, so Atkinson gets the nod. Tongue started the series, and I know he mainly got lower-order players out, but you probably have a natural replacement for Archer.”Former England captain Nasser Hussain supported Broad’s view regarding Archer’s workload management.“I don’t think you can have Archer playing three on the bounce coming back after four years,” Hussain said.“Gus Atkinson coming back after a long time, and then Stokes with a niggle as three of your four seamers – but I would definitely play Atkinson on his home ground if fit,” he added.The Ashes, to be played in Australia, is scheduled for November.
