Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has criticized Jofra Archer for not being included in the England squad for the first Test against New Zealand on June 4.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a 15-member squad, excluding Archer. Rob Key, the Managing Director for England Men’s cricket, explained that Archer was rested to better manage his workload after returning from the IPL.
Butcher voiced his disagreement, pointing out that Archer, despite being a centrally contracted player, chose to miss national games for the IPL.
“It baffles me, it really does. Central contracts are worth a lot, plus match fees. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be playing,” Butcher mentioned on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.
“If managing his workload is the goal, then he should skip IPL games. Instead, he’s resting from his main employer to play overseas. I don’t understand it,” he added.
Butcher also highlighted the consequences of missing IPL commitments, noting that players who withdraw face a two-year ban. He referred to Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, who faced bans after pulling out of contracts with Delhi Capitals.
“If you enter the IPL and then pull out, you get a two-year ban, which is Jofra Archer’s issue, not England’s. Why allow someone to break their contract and play for someone else?” he questioned.
‘Find it absolutely ridiculous’ – Butcher on Archer missing the first Test
Butcher believes it should be easier for English players under central contracts to skip IPL opportunities. He pointed to examples like Heinrich Klaasen, who left International cricket for franchise cricket.
“An England player’s salary is often over half a million before they begin playing. Given how unpredictable IPL selections can be, wouldn’t it make more sense to prioritize playing for your country? Players from other countries leave international cricket for better pay, but that’s not the case for England players. I find it ridiculous that one can be rested from an England Test for IPL commitments,” he concluded.
Archer last played Test cricket against India in the 2025 series and participated in three Tests during the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia, but he missed the final two Tests due to a side strain.