Jofra Archer Named in England XI for Lord's Test, Ends Four-Year Absence

Jofra Archer is poised to make his long-awaited Test comeback, having been named in the England XI for the crucial third Test against India at Lord's, commencing on Thursday, July 10.

Archer's previous Test was also against India in 2021 © Getty

Archer's inclusion comes at the expense of Josh Tongue, who was the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. This marks the only change to the home team's lineup from the second Test. The 30-year-old will rejoin the Test squad for the first time since February 2021, adding to his tally of 13 red-ball games for England.

The right-arm pacer recently participated in red-ball cricket during the last round of the County Championship, representing Sussex against Durham. His previous Test appearance for England was also against India in 2021. Subsequently, he faced a series of injuries, including a back stress fracture that sidelined him intermittently until 2024, before making his return to white-ball cricket in May of the preceding year.

England captain Ben Stokes expressed his anticipation ahead of the third Test, stating, "It's been a long time coming for him. The way in which he's handled the injury setbacks over that period has been very commendable. The way in which he's got himself back on the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now. It's exciting to have him back in the squad and in contention for us... Very exciting for the group but also a pretty great day. I think Jof is going to be pretty proud of himself that he's managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injuries."

Following India's series-levelling victory at Edgbaston, England bolstered their squad with another pacer, Gus Atkinson, for the third Test. Captain Stokes also suggested potential adjustments to their bowling attack to manage the pacers' workload.

Stokes elaborated on Archer's return, saying, "I think it's a case of we've had two tough games, a lot of time on the field and we've got through some overs as bowling unit. You get to this position here with back-to-back Test matches and you feel it's the right time to get some fresh legs in. It's exciting that we've had the ability to be able to call on someone like that."

Despite the injury setbacks and extended absence, Stokes is confident that Archer can recapture the magic of his memorable 2019 Ashes spell at the same venue. "It's obvious whenever he does get the ball in his hand there is that change in the game. I think the opposition feel it as well because they know what he can do with a spell. I don't think there's any reason as to why we can't see Jofra Archer operate at a level like we've seen here in [the past]," Stokes remarked.

The skipper emphasized that England would not exercise undue caution regarding the pacer's spells. "It will all be a sort of in the moment kind of thing. Same with anyone [else]. When you do get a sense to maybe give someone an extra over or two than you originally planned because they feel like they're being a big threat and you can maybe get one or two more over that could potentially get a wicket. But there's definitely going to be no preconceived ideas around him bowling spells of four or five."

England XI for 3rd Test:

• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Ollie Pope
• Joe Root
• Harry Brook
• Ben Stokes (C)
• Jamie Smith (wk)
• Jofra Archer
• Shoaib Bashir
• Brydon Carse
• Chris Woakes

The remaining three Tests in the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 will be held at Lord's (July 10-14), Old Trafford in Manchester (July 23-27), and The Oval (July 31- August 4).