Jofra Archer set to make Test comeback as England announce playing 11 for the third Test against India

Pacer Jofra Archer is set to make a Test comeback after four years after England included the bowler in their playing XI for the third Test at Lord's.

The bowler will replace Josh Tongue as the five-match series hangs in the balance at 1-1 heading to Lord's. England are hoping to add some spark to their bowling attack with the long-awaited comeback of Archer, who had been laid low by multiple injuries in recent years.

"England Men have made one change to their XI for the Rothesay Third Test against India at Lord's, starting on Thursday. Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer replaces Nottinghamshire's Josh Tongue. It will be Archer's first Test appearance since February 2021, also against India, in Ahmedabad," the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement on Wednesday.


Since suffering a string of elbow and back injuries starting from 2021, Archer has played only white-ball matches for England.

The 30-year-old pacer has taken 42 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 31.04 since making his debut against Australia in 2019.

England won the series opener at Leeds before India staged a remarkable comeback to restore parity with a massive victory at Birmingham.

England playing XI:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.