As the fast bowler gets ready for his first Test in over four years, England’s cricket board (ECB) announced on Wednesday that Jofra Archer has been included in the squad to play India in the third test of the series at Lord’s.
The only change England has made for the third test, which begins on Thursday, is to replace fellow seamer Josh Tongue with Archer. Tongue gave up more than 200 runs between the two innings while taking just four wickets.
Since England’s match against India in Ahmedabad in February 2021, Archer has not participated in the longest format. Despite being added to the squad for the second test, the 30-year-old, who has claimed 42 wickets in 13 tests, was left off the lineup.
But after overcoming his fitness issues, England coach Brendon McCullum declared that Archer was eligible for the third test.
His return to red-ball cricket was repeatedly delayed by a string of physical ailments, including thumb, back, and elbow injuries.
“Very thrilling, excellent for both Jof and English fans. For him, it has been a long time coming. Ben Stokes, captain of England, told reporters, “I think the way he’s handled the injury setbacks over that period has been very commendable.”
And then the manner in which he has been returning to the pitch and playing cricket for a considerable amount of time. Although it was thrilling to see him return to the team and compete last week, we can now declare that he is in the starting eleven.
“Jof’s going to be pretty proud of himself that he’s managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injury scares.”
Given the short turnaround between the second and third tests, especially after England’s bowlers bowled 234 overs in the second test, which India won by 336 runs, Stokes had also stated that they would take into account new legs.
In the second match, India scored more than 1,000 runs in a test match for the first time ever, and England found it difficult to take wickets. The hosts will be hoping that Archer’s pace can be a deadly weapon at Lord’s.
India’s record at Lord’s, where they have more victories (three) than at any other English venue, will also make England nervous.
India won a test for the first time on Sunday in Edgbaston, after England won the first test at Headingley, tying the series at one.
The English squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Zak Crawley.
