Jofra Archer stakes claim for Ashes place

Jofra Archer staked his Ashes claim with six for 27 in Sussex's second XI fixture against Gloucestershire.

The 24-year-old, who has been struggling with injury, was left out of his country's crushing first Test defeat to Australia at Edgbaston but is set for a recall with James Anderson ruled out of the second Test at Lord's.

Archer was England's leading wicket-taker with 20 during their recent World Cup success but required painkillers to deal with a side strain in that tournament, describing the pain as "pretty excruciating".

He took one for 28 for his county in their Vitality Blast victory over Kent and began in impressive fashion on his red-ball return, showing good pace from the outset and taking two wickets in his opening five overs.

He had Tom Price caught behind for one by wicketkeeper Joe Billings with the second ball of the fifth over and Gareth Roderick edging to Jack Carson at slip as he bowled back-to-back maidens in the ninth and 11th.

He conceded 11 runs from his next 12 balls, leaving him with figures of two for 19 at the end of the 15th over, but removed the off stump of Matt Brewer with the fourth ball of the 22nd over having been hit for four by the same batsman three balls earlier.

Gloucestershire were all out for 79 at lunch after Archer took a further three wickets to finish with six for 27, with four maiden overs.

Dominic Goodman was caught by Tom Haines off the fourth delivery of the 29th over before Archer followed that up two balls later by hitting Jack Worgan's middle stump.

Gloucestershire top scorer Gregory Willows was Archer's final victim, caught by Carson for 38 at the start of the 33rd over.