England captain Ben Stokes has defended the decision to rest fast bowler Jofra Archer for the opening Test against New Zealand national cricket team at Lord’s, insisting player welfare must be prioritized in modern cricket.
Archer, who recently completed a demanding IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, has been left out of England’s squad and could also miss the second Test. Stokes acknowledged public frustration but stressed that mishandling workloads could drive players away from international cricket. The England skipper said the game has changed significantly, with more opportunities available to cricketers worldwide.
Despite criticism following England’s Ashes defeat, Stokes backed coach Brendon McCullum and reaffirmed the team’s commitment to playing positive cricket against New Zealand.