The international vs franchise cricket fight has once again erupted. Michael Vaughan has raised serious concerns over England’s handling of Jofra Archer’s workload after the pacer continued his IPL 2026 campaign with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) instead of returning home ahead of England’s Test summer.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, the former England captain questioned the ECB’s priorities and the optics of Archer staying in India while England prepare for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
England recently announced their squad for the first Test, but Archer was left out as the ECB continues to manage his comeback to red-ball cricket following years of injuries. Vaughan, however, believes the situation shows the issue that franchise cricket brings and affects international cricket.
ECB’s contract with BCCI for IPL 2026
There was a time when ECB used to ignore IPL. England players were denied playing in the tournament, as the board didn’t see it as a helpful format. Now, ECB knows the value and importance of the IPL, which has become the perfect stage to judge a player’s calibre. Almost all of England’s best white-ball players in current generation play in the IPL, and the English board now gives a special permission to allow players to be available for the entire tournament, as per Vaughan.
“I’m sure he’ll be in the squad for the second Test. It comes midway through June. I think we have a problem in English cricket at the moment because Jofra was obviously staying for the full IPL. There’s some contract that the ECB have done with the BCCI that’s allowing all our players to stay for the duration,” Vaughan said.
He added that centrally contracted England players should still prioritise Test cricket over franchise tournaments. “If that’s the case, I have a problem with England’s contracts because Jofra has been looked after by them for a few years now on a very handsome contract. So who holds the key to that? I believe the international contract outweighs any franchise.”
Archer enjoying superb IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals
Ironically, Archer is in the middle of one of his best T20 seasons in years. Retained by Rajasthan Royals for INR 12.50 crore, the England speedster has looked quick, fit and threatening throughout IPL 2026.
Jofra Archer in IPL 2026
| Matches | Wickets | Economy | Dot Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 17 | 9.09 | 100+ |
Archer recently became RR’s highest wicket-taker in IPL history, going past Shane Watson’s tally of 67 wickets after a brilliant spell against Lucknow Super Giants earlier in the season. He has also been one of the most dangerous powerplay bowlers in the tournament.
Yet Vaughan feels England should have had their premier fast bowler available for the start of the Test season, especially at Lord’s where Archer has historically enjoyed bowling.
“If I was Rob Key, the director of cricket, or Brendon McCullum, the coach, I would want my best bowler playing in that first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. Not here.”
Vaughan clarified that he has no issue with franchise leagues themselves, but warned against creating a system where Test cricket starts taking a back seat.
“Look, all these franchise leagues are fantastic. I love them for the players. But I do feel that if we start to put domestic leagues over and above a Test match, I think there’s a real problem now.” He also suggested England may need to rethink their calendar if such agreements with the BCCI continue in future seasons. “If there is an agreement that the ECB have done with the BCCI, well, I think you’ve got to start your Test summer somewhere a little bit later then.“
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