England pace legend James Anderson has called for Jofra Archer’s inclusion in the side for the third Test against India, beginning Thursday at Lord’s, saying the crucial juncture in the series demands taking a “chance” on the injury-prone speedster.
India’s crushing 336-run victory at Edgbaston has levelled the five-match ICC World Test Championship series at 1-1. With momentum now firmly with the visitors, Anderson believes England must act swiftly.
“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 in a quote carried by the ICC. “I think he will play. He’s played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. It’s too crucial a game not to [play him].”
Archer, 29, last played a Test in February 2021 and has been plagued by multiple injury setbacks since. However, he made a tentative return to red-ball cricket recently for Sussex and has been bowling in the nets since joining the England camp last week.
While head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed Archer was fit and “buzzing,” he remained non-committal about the pacer’s inclusion.
“Jofra is looking fit, he’s looking strong, he’s looking ready to go, and he’ll come into calculations,” said McCullum. “He’s obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket. We all know what he’s capable of… and we hope he can improve on what he’s already done in that form of the game.”
England have also called up right-arm fast bowler Gus Atkinson into their 16-man squad for the Lord’s Test in the aftermath of the Edgbaston defeat.
England squad for 3rd Test:
Ben Stokes (capt), 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.
The Lord’s Test, set to begin on July 11, is expected to play a pivotal role in the series, with both teams aiming to gain a decisive edge.
