Player of the Match in the third Test, Ben Stokes heaped praise on comeback star Jofra Archer after England secured a 22-run victory over India on the final day at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday, 14 July.
Archer and Stokes were instrumental in England’s successful defense of 192. Archer struck early, claiming two key wickets, including that of Rishabh Pant, while Stokes delivered two hostile spells and picked up a couple of wickets himself. In total, the England captain bowled 44 overs and claimed five wickets in the match.
Stokes lauded Archer’s outstanding performance on his return to Test cricket after nearly three years, having last played in 2021. He also credited Brydon Carse’s impactful spell with the ball and said he had a strong feeling that Archer would produce something special on Day 5.
“Yeah, part of the reason I went with Jof [Archer] this morning—six years ago to the day,” Stokes said after the match. “He played a major role then, and I had a feeling he’d do something special today and crack the game open. We had a bit of a discussion—Brydon bowled an amazing spell—but I just had a gut feeling that Jof was going to do something in his first game back. Every time his name is announced on the tannoy, the ground erupts. And when the speeds flash up on the screen, the atmosphere shifts.”
Stokes had already bowled 35 overs in the first Test at Headingley. In the second Test at Edgbaston, where he bowled another 26 overs, India emerged victorious. Reflecting on the physical demands, Stokes acknowledged the toll but expressed his excitement at delivering a match-winning performance.
“I’ve taken myself to some pretty dark places, but if bowling your country to a Test match win doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what does,” he said emphatically.
The seam-bowling all-rounder stressed the importance of the Lord’s win following a heavy defeat in the second Test.
“With what was on the line… I was absolutely cooked yesterday, but with the game on the line, nothing was going to stop me. I’m an all-rounder—I get four opportunities to influence the game. If one thing doesn’t click… sure, I’d like to score more runs, but there’s no time to worry about it,” he added.
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