ENG vs IND 2025: 'His Test comeback has been a long time coming' - Ben Stokes reacts to Jofra Archer's inclusion in playing XI for Lord's Test
"I think the way in which he's handled the injury setbacks over that period, it's been very commendable," Ben Stokes said about Jofra Archer after he returned to the playing XI for the third Test.
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Veteran seamer Jofra Archer joined England's squad ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, last week, but didn't get an opportunity to play the pulsating encounter. However, he has been picked in England's playing XI for the third Test, which gets underway on Thursday, July 10, at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.
Archer is all set to play his first Test since February 2021. The 30-year-old has played 13 Tests so far, picking up 32 wickets at an average of 31.05. The surface at Lord's is expected to assist the seamers, and Archer's comeback couldn't have come at a better time for England, especially after their bowlers leaked runs at a rate of 5.14 per over in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed his excitement upon Archer's return to the playing XI. The star all-rounder also heaped praise on Archer for the perseverance he has shown despite struggling with multiple injuries in his career.
"It is really exciting. I think it's great for English fans, but also for Jofra. It's been a long time coming for him. I think the way in which he's handled the injury setbacks over that period, it's been very commendable. And then the way in which he's got himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now," said Stokes in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, July 9.
"It was exciting to have him back in the squad and in contention for last week, but now that we can say he's in the playing 11, it is very exciting for the group, but also, I think it's a pretty great day and I think Jofra is gonna be pretty proud of himself that he's managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injury scares," said Stokes.
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England announced their playing XI a day before the start of the third Test. Josh Tongue, who is the leading wicket-taker in the five-match series, made way for Archer as England decided to retain Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. Rest of the lineup remains the same.
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