Jofra Archer set for Test return but England chiefs tell him to crank up the pace vs Pakistan

JOFRA ARCHER is poised for an England return tomorrow — with Chris Silverwood telling him to crank up his pace.

The Sussex bowler, 25, looks likely to have another chance to show his speed in the Third Test against Pakistan in Southampton.

England hope Jofra Archer can rev up his deliveries towards the 96mph corkers he unleashed on Australia superstar Steve Smith

Jofra Archer prepares for the Third Test against Pakistan in unexpected style, with a stint behind the stumps

Jofra Archer bowling at near full pace would add a new dimension to the England attack at Southampton

And head coach Silverwood said: “If there’s an opportunity to blow open an end and open the door for us, we’d like Jofra to step on the gas a little.”

Silverwood is as baffled as anybody why Archer has not come close to repeating the 96mph thunderbolts with which he hit Aussie run-machine Steve Smith at Lord’s last year.

Archer bowled a fast spell against West Indies in the opening Test of the summer but otherwise has rarely touched the 90mph mark.

Many wonder if he is still feeling the effects of the elbow injury that kept him out of last winter’s final three Tests in South Africa.

But Silverwood insisted: “He’s not complained about the elbow recently, so I wouldn’t put that out there.

“Jofra firing at a high pace is very exciting. All of us watched those spells last year and went ‘Wow’.

“But it’s difficult to bowl at that pace all the time.

“I’ve said this before and Jofra’s said it — it’s hard to operate at those high ends. Jofra is still young in his Test career. The expectations have  to match where he is in his circle of learning.”

Archer for Sam Curran might be the only change from the bad light and rain-ruined Second Test.

Paceman Jofra Archer will be asked to ‘step on the gas a little’

England want Jofra Archer to produce more balls like this one that had Babar Azam ducking on day one of the First Test

However, if England decide to leave out spinner Dom Bess,  Surrey’s Ben Foakes could come in as wicketkeeper with Jos Buttler playing as a specialist batsman.

Another option would be handing a debut to Gloucestershire’s James Bracey, with Buttler retaining the gloves.

It seems certain James Anderson and Stuart Broad will again share the new ball, meaning they have both played five Tests this summer when the original plan was to play four each.

Silverwood admitted it is difficult finding the balance between trying to win matches now and planning for the 2021-22 Ashes, when the pace of Archer and Mark Wood will be important weapons.

The head coach added: “It’s very difficult but we do our best to strike that balance. A lot of these young lads are potentially going to feature in The Ashes.

“It’s great having the experience of Jimmy and Stuart for the other guys to work alongside. They pass on so much knowledge.

“I’m trying to build an attack that has experience and everything else — pace, swing and movement.”