England is looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat by recalling Jofra Archer for the third Test at Lord’s, marking his return to red-ball cricket after more than four years. Archer replaces Josh Tongue, who was England’s leading wicket-taker in the series but has been rested after a heavy workload.
Ben Stokes has praised Archer’s resilience and hinted that the pacer will not be held back by pre-set bowling plans, instead being used as the match situation demands. Archer’s raw speed and ability to generate bounce are expected to trouble India’s top order, which proved dominant at Edgbaston.
Archer’s previous performances at Lord’s, including his memorable debut in 2019, have raised expectations among fans and teammates alike. Despite limited recent match practice, his inclusion is viewed as a potential game-changer.
With the series level, England hopes Archer’s return will provide the spark needed to reclaim momentum and challenge India’s batting supremacy.