Stokes Weighs Archer’s Return for Critical Test at Lord’s
Ben Stokes has shared his thoughts on whether Jofra Archer might be back in the England squad for the upcoming third Test against India at Lord’s. Archer was absent from the team during the first Test at Headingley but was included in the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston, raising hopes among fans for his return.
Despite this, Archer did not make it to the playing XI as England opted for Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, and Brydon Carse as their pace bowlers. Following a disappointing 336-run defeat at Edgbaston, there is growing pressure on England to bring Archer back into the mix, particularly since he hasn’t appeared in a Test match for over three years.
Stokes emphasized the importance of managing Archer’s workload, especially considering his injury issues during the past few years. In a post-match press conference, he said, “That will be a decision for us to make based on how the group comes together. We have had him here this week to help him integrate with the team and manage his training.”
Since making his debut in 2019, the 30-year-old Archer has taken 42 wickets in 13 Test matches, including three five-wicket hauls. While England weighs its options concerning Archer, another fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to return to action at Lord’s, confirmed by teammate Shubman Gill.
Stokes spoke about the challenge of facing Bumrah, stating, “We play against each other often and have a good understanding of what to expect. We try to practice against similar styles, whether through coaches or drills. It’s tough to replicate fully, but we put in the effort.”
After winning the first Test in Leeds and taking a 1-0 lead, England’s poor batting performance in Birmingham—where they were set a daunting target of 608—allowed India to level the series. Now, Stokes and his team are focused on bouncing back and regaining their upper hand.
