Ben Stokes Discusses Jofra Archer’s Potential Return for the Third Test Against India
Ben Stokes has shared his thoughts on whether England is considering the return of Jofra Archer for the third Test against India at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Archer was not part of the squad for the opening Test at Headingley in Leeds, but there have been growing hopes for his inclusion after he was named in the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Despite being included in the team, Archer did not make it into the playing XI for the second Test. England opted to go with Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, and Brydon Carse in the fast-bowling department. However, following a 336-run loss at Edgbaston, there are increasing discussions about bringing back Archer, who has not played a Test since 2019.
Stokes highlighted that England has had to carefully manage Archer’s workload due to his history of injuries over the past three years. He stated during the post-match press conference:
“That’ll be a decision we have to make, seeing how everyone comes together. We’ve had him here this week to get around the group and build him up with his workloads and everything. So, everyone’s being considered for the game at Lord’s.”
Key Highlights from the Birmingham Test
The second Test at Edgbaston saw a significant performance from India, who secured a historic win to end a 63-year-long wait. England initially took a 1-0 lead after chasing down 371 runs in Leeds, but their poor batting performance in Birmingham, where they were set a target of 608, resulted in a draw.
In 13 Tests since his debut in 2019, 30-year-old Jofra Archer has taken 42 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. While there are still uncertainties about his return, another fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will make a comeback at Lord’s. Shubman Gill confirmed that Bumrah will be part of the Indian squad for the third Test.
Facing Bumrah at Lord’s
When asked about facing Bumrah at Lord’s, Stokes said:
“We play with each other so often now that we know what to expect. You try to replicate what you’ll face in training, whether through sidearms or coaches mimicking the angles and release points. It’s hard to fully recreate, but you do your best.”
England now faces the challenge of bouncing back and regaining the advantage in the third Test. The team will need to address their batting issues and find a way to counter Bumrah’s threat, while also considering whether to bring back Archer for the crucial match.
With the series level at 1-1, the upcoming Test at Lord’s promises to be a pivotal moment for both teams. Stokes and the English squad will be looking to regain control and secure a victory that could shift the momentum in their favor.
