Jofra Archer is back in England's Test XI after a four-year gap and there is no better place for his return than the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. England confirmed Archer's inclusion for the third Test against India, starting July 10 with the series currently level at 1-1.
He replaces Josh Tongue who was England's leading wicket-taker in the first two matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Archer has not played a red-ball international since February 2021.
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A string of injuries - including a serious back stress fracture - kept him away from long-form cricket. But after easing back through County cricket with Sussex and featuring in white-ball formats, Archer is now set to lead England's pace attack once again.
Jofra Archer’s Test record at Lord’s: Revisiting his iconic 6/45 in 2019 Ashes
Here is a quick look at Jofra Archer's Test record with a specific focus on his performances at Lord's:
| Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100s | Wickets | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5W | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 155 | 30 | 7.75 | 0 | 42 | 6/45 | 31.04 | 3 | 2 |
Archer has taken 42 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 31.04 with three five-wicket hauls. At Lord's, his standout moment remains that 6/45 spell in the 2019 Ashes - still one of his career bests.
Lord's is the venue where Archer made his Test debut in 2019. It remains one of the most talked-about moments of his career. England captain Ben Stokes said the team is not putting restrictions on Archer's workload.
With India's top order growing in confidence, England needed a spark. Archer, with his pace and bounce, offers just that.
His return is a gamble - but one England believe is worth taking as they head into a crucial phase of the series.