The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a solitary change to the playing XI for the third Test against India at Lord’s, starting Thursday. Jofra Archer, the express pacer from Sussex, comes into the side in place of Josh Tongue.
Archer was part of the squad for the second Test but did not make the final XI at Edgbaston. However, following India’s commanding batting display on a flat surface, the selectors have opted to bring Archer in for the all-important Lord’s encounter.
Despite being England’s leading wicket-taker in the series so far, Tongue has been left out to accommodate Archer’s inclusion. Chris Woakes holds on to his spot despite managing just three wickets across four innings. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson, who was recently added to the squad, will remain on the bench.
The Lord’s Test will mark Archer’s second red-ball appearance at the venue, the previous one being during the 2019 Ashes, where he famously unsettled the Australians with his pace and aggression. This match will also be Archer’s 14th Test cap and his first since playing in Ahmedabad against India in February 2021. Injuries have kept him out of the longest format since then, with his most recent first-class match being against Durham last month.
Amid scrutiny from the British media, the selectors have continued to back Ollie Pope at No. 3, while Jacob Bethell remains on the sidelines.
England Playing XI for the Third Test at Lord’s: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.
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