England will be hoping for an extra edge in their attack as Jofra Archer makes his long-awaited return to Test cricket in the third match against India on what promises to be a lively surface at Lord’s. With the five-match series finely poised at 1-1, the hosts are eager to inject fresh energy into their bowling ranks, banking on Archer’s pace and hostility to tilt the contest in their favour.
The 29-year-old speedster, who last played a Test in February 2021 against India in Ahmedabad, replaces Josh Tongue in England’s XI. His selection was confirmed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday.
“England Men have made one change to their XI for the Rothesay Third Test against India at Lord`s, starting on Thursday. Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer replaces Nottinghamshire`s Josh Tongue. It will be Archer`s first Test appearance since February 2021, also against India, in Ahmedabad,” the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Archer’s journey back to red-ball cricket has been far from straightforward. Repeated elbow and back injuries forced him to spend extended periods on the sidelines, limiting his involvement to white-ball cricket since 2021. In that time, the fast bowler underwent rigorous rehabilitation, determined to revive his Test career.
Since making his sensational debut during the 2019 Ashes, Archer has claimed 42 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 31.04. Renowned for his explosive pace and ability to extract life from even docile pitches, his inclusion is set to bolster an England attack that struggled for breakthroughs in the second Test at Edgbaston.
The series has already delivered plenty of drama. England seized early momentum with a comprehensive victory at Leeds, only for India to storm back in Birmingham with a commanding performance that levelled the ledger. As the teams arrive at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, anticipation is high for another gripping contest.
For England, Archer’s return could be pivotal. His express pace and knack for unsettling batters with sharp lift and movement add a dimension that was conspicuously absent in the previous game. The management will be hoping he can exploit the conditions expected at Lord’s, traditionally known to aid seamers early on.
Meanwhile, India will be wary of the renewed threat in England’s arsenal but will draw confidence from their authoritative display in the last outing. With the series delicately balanced, both teams know that a win at Lord’s could be a decisive shift in momentum.
England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
(With PTI inputs)
