In a major boost to England’s pace attack, Jofra Archer is all set to make his long-awaited return to Test cricket after nearly four years. The speedster has been named in England’s playing XI for the crucial third Test against India, which begins on Thursday, July 10, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Comeback After 4-Year Absence from Red-Ball Cricket
The third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will mark Jofra Archer’s first appearance in a Test match since February 2021, when he last played — interestingly, also against India. Since then, he has been sidelined with a series of injury setbacks, including a troublesome elbow injury and a stress fracture in his back.
After multiple rehab phases and patience-testing recovery time, Archer’s resilience has finally paid off. The 30-year-old pacer has featured in 13 Tests for England so far and will now make his comeback at the venue where he delivered one of the most iconic spells in modern Ashes history in 2019.
Replacing Josh Tongue in the Playing XI
England have made just one change to their squad from the second Test. Josh Tongue, who was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 wickets, makes way for Jofra Archer, a move that underscores the team’s confidence in Archer’s readiness and impact potential.
Captain Ben Stokes confirmed the switch while speaking to the media on the eve of the match. “It’s been a long journey for him,” Stokes said, referring to Jofra Archer’s injury-ridden past few years. “What he’s gone through and how he’s kept pushing himself to return to this level is something all of us in the dressing room respect.”
Match Fitness: Archer Tested in County Cricket
Before returning to the international setup, Jofra Archer made a successful red-ball comeback with Sussex in the County Championship, where he bowled against Durham. His rhythm and pace impressed the selectors, paving the way for his inclusion in the squad for the Lord’s Test.
Stokes said that the England management has no fixed bowling quota for Archer and that decisions on his spells would be made on the field based on match situations.
“There are no pre-set limits on how much Jofra will bowl,” Stokes said. “If he’s in rhythm and looks threatening, he’ll bowl longer spells — just like any other fast bowler.”
Past Injuries, Present Hopes
After Archer’s last Test in 2021, he went through two major injuries that derailed his career momentum — a persistent elbow injury, followed by a stress fracture in the back, which forced him to miss most of 2022 and 2023. He finally returned to white-ball cricket in May 2024, gradually building fitness across formats.
Now, the focus is on managing his workload wisely. “We’ve had two intense Test matches,” said Stokes. “This was the right time to bring in fresh legs. And who better than Jofra Archer?”
Can Archer Repeat His 2019 Magic?
Fans will remember how Jofra Archer lit up Lord’s during the 2019 Ashes, where he bowled with lethal pace and unsettled some of Australia’s best batters. Stokes believes that Archer still has that edge.
“It’s obvious,” Stokes said, “when Jofra Archer has the ball in hand, something shifts. The game changes. The opposition feels it too — they know what he can do.”
No Holding Back: Archer to Bowl Full Tilt
Despite returning from injury, Archer will not be held back.
“If he’s looking dangerous, we’ll let him continue,” Stokes added. “There’s no overthinking. Jofra will bowl as long as he feels good and makes things happen.”
A Big Moment for Archer and England
For Jofra Archer, this Test match is more than just a comeback — it’s a personal milestone. After years of setbacks, doubts, and rehab sessions, he’s finally back where he belongs — in whites, for England, under the Lord’s sky.
“It’s a proud moment for him,” said Stokes. “Getting back to the Test arena after such big injuries — that takes heart.”
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