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England Make One Change For Lord's Test; Jofra Archer Returns In Whites After 4 Years

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

 Jofra Archer [Source: @imVkohliPD/x.com] Jofra Archer [Source: @imVkohliPD/x.com]

The express pace of the English team, Jofra Archer is all set to make a return to Test cricket after 4 years. The English team has announced their playing for their third Test of the India tour of England 2025, which will be played at the iconic Lord's cricket ground. 

England have made only one change to their side from the last match. Josh Tongue has been replaced with Jofra Archer. They announced their playing XI for the match via an article on their official website.

Gus Atkinson Does Not Make The Cut

Notably, the English bowling looked flat and blunt during the second Test of the series. After Indian thrashed the home team and won the game by a convincing margin of 336 runs, there were talks that England will make more than one change to their side.

While some were predicting the return of Archer, others were saying that Chris Woakes might also lose his place in the side. The expectation was that the express pacer, Gus Atkinson will find a place in the playing XI. The fact that Atkinson can also bat a bit lower down the order made a this change a possibility. However, as it turns out, Atkinson will not be playing at the Lord's

Josh Tongue Makes Way For Archer

Notably, Archer has replaced the highest wicket-taker in the series so far. In two matches, Tongue has picked up 11 wickets. Although, the pacer picked up wickets the attack as a whole lacked the bite and potency needed to strike fear among the visiting batters. Thus the inclusion of Archer is to get in that X-factor in the bowling attack. 

The Series Stands At A Balance

While England won the first Test at Headingley, India made a brilliant comeback at Edgbaston. As the action moves to Lord's the series stands at an interesting juncture with the scoresheet balanced at 1-1. Both the teams will be looking to win this match and carry forward a lead and momentum into the last two games.

England 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, Shoaib Bashir