England great James Anderson has backed Jofra Archer to make his long-awaited return to Test cricket in the third Test against India at Lord’s, starting July 10. Anderson believes England cannot afford to wait any longer with the series level at 1-1 and an important clash looming.
Archer has not played a Test since February 2021. His career has been repeatedly halted by a string of injuries, including a recent thumb fracture. But after featuring in a County Championship match for Sussex and being involved with the squad during the Edgbaston Test, there is a growing feeling within the England camp that the time is right for Archer to make his comeback.
England’s crushing 336-run loss in the second Test at Edgbaston exposed their bowling attack that conceded over 1000 runs in the match. With questions now swirling around the composition of the pace unit, the selectors are considering bold changes for the Lord’s Test. Jofra Archer’s name is at the centre of that conversation.
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James Anderson Pushes for Jofra Archer’s Return at Lord's
Anderson believes England cannot hold Archer back any longer and stressed that the third Test represents the perfect opportunity to reintroduce him.
"You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then. I think he will play. He's played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you've got to play him. It's too crucial a game not to," Anderson said as quoted by ICC.
After the Edgbaston loss, England head coach Brendon McCullum also suggested that Archer is firmly in consideration for the Lord’s Test and looks ready for the challenge.
"Jofra is looking fit, he's looking strong, he's looking ready to go, and he'll come into calculations. It's hugely exciting. He's buzzing as well. He's obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket," McCullum said.
McCullum added that England are hopeful of seeing the best version of Archer again.
"We all know what he's capable of achieving in Test cricket and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he's able to recapture and also improve on what he's been able to do already in that form of the game," he stated further.
Fit-Again Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson Bolster England’s Bowling Options for Third Test
Gus Atkinson, who missed the first two Tests due to a hamstring injury, is also fit again and available for selection. Atkinson has been added to the England squad for the third Test.
With the series on the line, England may well turn to a fit-again Archer and Atkinson to reignite their pace attack.
England squad for third Test vs India: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
