Archer Returns to England Test Side After Four-Year Injury Layoff

Jofra Archer is poised to make his comeback to Test cricket after being named in the England XI for the 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 (11) 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 be returning to the Test arena for the first time since February 2021, having represented England in 13 red-ball games.

The pacer made his return to red-ball cricket in the last round of the County Championship for Sussex against Durham. His last Test for England was also against India in 2021, after which he faced a series of injuries. These included a back stress fracture that sidelined him intermittently until 2024, before his return to white-ball cricket in May of the previous year.

"It's been a long time coming for him," said England skipper Ben Stokes ahead of the third Test. "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," he added.

Following India's series-leveling win at Edgbaston, England had added another pacer, Gus Atkinson, to their squad for the third Test. Captain Stokes had hinted at potential changes to their bowling attack to manage the pacers' workload.

"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 a 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," Stokes said regarding Archer's return.

Stokes is confident that despite the injury setbacks and long absence, Archer can recreate 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.

For the same reason, the skipper stated that England will not be cautious 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).