July 9, 2025
Jofra Archer returns to England’s Playing XI for Lord’s Test against India


Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been named in England’s XI for the third Test against India at Lord’s, marking his first appearance in red-ball cricket since February 2021. The only change to the side, Archer replaces Josh Tongue in an otherwise unchanged lineup, as England look to regain control of the 1‑1 series.
A comeback years in the making
- Back after 4.5 years: Archer, aged 30, headlines England’s attack after returning to fitness following a back stress fracture and two elbow surgeries.
- Limited red-ball exposure: His only first-class outing since 2021 was an 18-over spell for Sussex, which convinced selectors of his readiness.
- Fitness confidence: Captain Ben Stokes called the move “really exciting,” praising Archer’s resilience and PDO with injuries.
Pitch, context & opposition
- Lord’s conditions: With a heatwave and a greener pitch expected, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak predicted the scenario would test batters—but welcomed the challenge.
- India's response: India is likely to recall Jasprit Bumrah, aiming to arrest England’s renewed pace threat.
What this means
- Pace reloaded: Inserting Archer should inject potent early strike power—something England lacked during India’s dominant Edgbaston victory.
- Calculated risk: Former England captain Michael Vaughan urged caution, saying Archer might have benefited from more red-ball game time.
- Momentum shift: With the series level, Archer's inclusion could be the decisive variable—if he replicates his intense spell on Lord’s debut.
Jofra Archer’s return isn’t just a headline, it signals England’s renewed ambition to shake India early. His past impact and current readiness make him a potentially match-defining selection at the home of cricket.
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