It was national selector Luke Wright who said at the start of June that Archer could be available for the second India Test, suggesting he is in England’s thoughts for this summer, nevermind a potentially box-office reunion against Australia in the Ashes in the winter.
He did not take the new ball for Durham, instead replacing another former England Test bowler in Ollie Robinson after six overs, with Durham 9-0.
From his first delivery – with England bowling coach Neil Killeen in attendance – Archer appealed for caught behind down the leg side but the umpire was unmoved.
While Archer’s opening spell of four wicketless overs for 11 runs was accurate, it was a pacey second spell 45 minutes after lunch that caught the eye.
Archer had Durham left-hander Gay fending from in front of his helmet on a slow pitch, another lively bouncer followed to Will Rhodes in his next over and in his third he had a loud lbw appeal against Gay turned down.
Archer, who was the quickest bowler on show in a match that also featured Robinson, Durham’s England bowler Matthew Potts and Australia international Gurinder Sandhu, would not be denied.
He went fuller to Gay from round the wicket with the second ball of his next over, found a hint of inswing and trapped the Durham opener in front.
After the umpire’s finger was raised, Archer celebrated with a beaming smile – the wicket his first in whites since he dismissed Jordan Cox in a match against Kent on 14 May 2021.
He continued for a further two overs and was cruising to the crease by the end.
When he beat right-hander Colin Ackermann outside off stump he bent double in frustration mid-pitch. It was the final ball of an impressive six-over spell.