Fast bowler Jofra Archer’s participation in England’s second Test against the Proteas at Newlands in Cape Town is in doubt.

Archer, who took six wickets in last week’s series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion and was criticised for bowling consecutive head-high full tosses at nightwatchman Anrich Nortje, is nursing an elbow injury.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, meanwhile, has targeted an improved performance during the Newlands Test. Buttler was recalled to the Test XI in mid-2018 on the back of a superb stretch of form for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

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‘I feel like I’m not quite performing to the standards I need to. I’m trying to improve that and affect games in positive ways for England,’ said Buttler.

‘Since I’ve come back into Test cricket, I’ve tried to trust my defence for longer periods of time. I’ve been able to do that on occasions. But playing my natural game is certainly something I’m trying to work out.

‘You can do a lot of work in the nets but I’m spending a lot of time thinking about the game when I’m sat in my room or trying to visualise things or work through them in my head. Moving forward I’ve got to play the situation, but I will try to be a bit more positive.’

The Proteas lead the four-Test series after victory in Centurion. The second Test will start on Friday. St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth and the Wanderers in Johannesburg will host the third and fourth Test, respectively.

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