Archer to play first Test in more than four years
England XI for third Test against India: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.
The culmination of that plan is a comeback at Lord's, scene of Archer's two most memorable moments in an England shirt, both in his debut year of 2019.Archer bowled the super over in England's heart-stopping World Cup final triumph over New Zealand and, weeks later, returned to the same ground to make his Test bow against Australia.He made an instant impact with an electrifying spell, felling and concussing Aussie run-machine Steve Smith.Though there is a symmetry to Archer's return, it is not without risk. He has played only one first-class match in the build-up to the third Test, in Sussex's trip to Durham two weeks ago. He bowled 18 overs and claimed one wicket.While Archer's inclusion was expected, it is perhaps a surprise that England have not made further changes to their pace attack.Woakes, 36, has taken only three wickets in the series, but has a superb record at Lord's. In seven previous Tests on this ground he has taken 32 wickets at an average under 13.Carse appeared to be struggling with a recurrence of the foot problem that ruled him out of the beginning of the year, though has been passed fit to play.It means no place for either Sam Cook or Jamie Overton. Gus Atkinson is also in the squad as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury.India train later on Wednesday and are expected to welcome back fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah after he was rested for the second Test.
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