England legend James Anderson has publicly urged the national selectors to include Jofra Archer in the playing XI for the crucial third Test against India at Lord's. Anderson's call comes after England suffered a heavy 336-run defeat in the second Test at Edgbaston, leaving the five-match series leveled at 1-1. The third Test, set to begin on Thursday, July 10, at Lord's, is now a pivotal encounter, and Anderson believes Archer's inclusion is essential for England's chances.
Archer, 30, has been plagued by injuries in recent years, preventing him from consistently representing England in Test cricket. He hasn't played a Test match since February 2021, due to a series of elbow and back problems. However, he recently made a comeback to first-class cricket with Sussex, marking his return to red-ball cricket after a prolonged absence. Archer's return saw him take 1/32 in 18 overs for Sussex. He was subsequently included in the England squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but did not make the final XI.
Anderson believes that England needs Archer's pace and firepower to unsettle the Indian batting lineup. He argues that waiting any longer to include Archer in the team could be a mistake. "You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then," Anderson said. "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".
Echoing Anderson's sentiment, England head coach Brendon McCullum has offered a positive assessment of Archer's readiness. "Jofra is looking fit, he's looking strong, he's looking ready to go, and he'll come into calculations," McCullum said. "It's hugely exciting. He's buzzing as well. He's obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket". McCullum further added, "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".
Archer's potential return to the Test arena has generated considerable excitement, particularly given his impressive debut at Lord's in the 2019 Ashes series. His ability to bowl at high speeds and generate disconcerting bounce makes him a potentially game-changing bowler. The Lord's pitch, known for its pace and carry, could suit Archer's bowling style.
However, some concerns remain about Archer's workload and match fitness. Having just returned from a long injury layoff, there are questions about whether he can withstand the rigors of a five-day Test match. Sussex coach Paul Farbrace had cautioned against rushing Archer back too soon, suggesting that the third Test at Lord's might be a better option for his return. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also weighed in, saying, "Whatever England go with, it's a huge risk. I would have loved to see Archer play a bit more cricket. England believe he has done enough in terms of workload".
In addition to Archer, England has also added Gus Atkinson to the squad for the Lord's Test. The 27-year-old Surrey seamer has recovered from a hamstring injury and will compete for a place in the XI. Atkinson's inclusion provides England with another pace option and further strengthens their bowling attack.
The inclusion of both Archer and Atkinson in the squad indicates England's desire to inject pace and aggression into their bowling attack following the defeat at Edgbaston. With the series evenly poised, the Lord's Test promises to be a closely contested affair, and the performance of England's fast bowlers could well determine the outcome.
The England squad for the Lord's Test includes Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, and Sam Cook.
