England has announced a significant change to their lineup for the third Test against India at Lord’s, with star pacer Jofra Archer making his much-anticipated return to Test cricket. Archer, who last played a Test match in February 2021 against India, has been sidelined due to elbow and back injuries but is now set to bolster England’s bowling attack. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with England winning the first match in Leeds and India leveling the series with a commanding victory in Birmingham.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Archer’s inclusion in the playing XI, replacing Josh Tongue from Nottinghamshire. This strategic move aims to add firepower to England’s pace attack on what is expected to be a challenging surface at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. Archer, who has been limited to white-ball cricket since his injury setbacks, has an impressive record of 42 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 31.04 since his debut against Australia in 2019.

The decision to bring back Archer reflects England’s intent to regain momentum in the series. His return is eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike, as he is known for his ability to deliver match-winning performances. The team management hopes that Archer’s pace and skill will provide the edge needed to overcome a resilient Indian side.

England’s playing XI for the third Test includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, captain Ben Stokes, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Shoaib Bashir. The match is set to begin on Thursday, with both teams eager to take the lead in this closely contested series.