IND vs ENG: “You’ve got to play him”- James Anderson strictly orders Ben Stokes to include Jofra Archer in England XI for Lord’s test

Jofra Archer last played for England in tests in 2021.

James Anderson, a former England speed icon, has urged the team’s management to think about selecting Jofra Archer for the third test match against India, which will be played from 10th July at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Archer recently made his comeback in the longest format of the game during the 2025 County Championship, despite the fact that he hasn’t played in a test match since March 2021 in Ahmedabad.

After England’s crushing 336-run loss to India at Edgbaston, Anderson emphasised the need to ease Archer back into the international system in tests by progressively increasing his bowling workload. He suggested that the high-stakes Lord’s test is the ideal opportunity to do so.

India piled up 587 and 427/6d in the two innings of the Edgbaston test against England’s bowling lineup featuring Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, and Ben Stokes.

England have already announced the inclusion of Gus Atkinson into the squad for the Lord’s test against India.

Anderson backs Archer after County Comeback

All-time great James Anderson, a former cricket player for England, encouraged captain Ben Stokes and the current English management to take a chance by starting Jofra Archer in the third test match against India.

“You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then. I think he will play. He’s played one game for Sussex; he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you’ve got to play him. It’s too crucial a game not to,” Anderson told ICC.

Last month, Jofra Archer took a wicket against Durham at Chester-le-Street after sending down 18 overs for Sussex. At Edgbaston, the speedster also joined the England team, but he was left out of the starting lineup.

Jofra Archer had made his test debut in 2019 against Australia and infamously retired hurt Steve Smith with a bouncer to the head. He has played 13 tests, taking 42 wickets with a best of 6/45. He averages 31.04 and has an economy of 2.99.

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