Jofra Archer is set to make a return to Test cricket after four years, while there was no place for Gus Atkinson as England announced their playing XI for the third match of the series against India, which will begin on July 10. Josh Tongue, who played the first two Tests of the series, has been dropped from the playing XI to make way for Archer. Tongue is the leading wicket-taker in the series so far, with 11 wickets across two Tests.
Atkinson was added to the England squad in the aftermath of the loss to India at Edgbaston, but he will continue to build fitness heading into the final two games of the series. Atkinson last featured for England during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May.
Archer was included in the squad for the second Test but wasn’t included in the playing XI. The pacer’s last Test match came back in February 2021, incidentally against India.
“Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer replaces Josh Tongue for the third game of the five-Test series, starting on Thursday, July 10. The 30-year-old right-arm quick returns to the England Test team for the first time since February 2021 and will make his 14th cap,” read the statement from England cricket.
Archer has played 13 Tests in his career and has picked up 42 wickets at an average of 31.04. The likes of Zak Crawley and Chris Woakes have been retained in the team despite criticism about their performances.
England Playing XI for Lord’s Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir.
