England’s fast bowler Jofra Archer delivered a match-winning performance in the Lord’s Test against India, drawing inspiration from one of cricket’s most unforgettable moments – Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration at the 2002 NatWest Trophy final.The connection might seem unlikely at first glance, but England captain Ben Stokes revealed how Jofra Archer drew on that historic image of Ganguly defiantly waving his shirt on the balcony of Lord’s as motivation to spark England’s victory over India in the third Test.
Jofra Archer’s fiery spell included a peach of a delivery to dismiss the dangerous Rishabh Pant, followed by a crucial return catch to dismiss Washington Sundar. These breakthroughs proved decisive as India fell short by 22 runs despite their resilient fightback.Jofra Archer, featuring in his first Test since 2021, sparked India’s collapse in the second innings of the third Test at Lord’s. He dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck before claiming the scalps of Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar to fashion England’s 22-run win here on Monday.
Jofra Archer’s tryst with injuries and his return to resurrection in Test career
One of the biggest assets for England is the return of Jofra Archer. The 29-year-old’s career until now has been plagued by injuries; he made his return to the T20 World Cup after overcoming an elbow injury that kept him out for almost a year. In his return for the Three Lions, Jofra Archer took ten scalps across eight matches. However, despite his return, he is missing out on the series as England management has decided to stick with their cautious and steady approach to introducing him back into the red-ball set-up.
Jofra Archer starred for England at the recent T20 World Cup, picking up ten wickets at an average of 19 as Jos Buttler’s side were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners India. However, England have said he will not make his Test return until 2025. England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated Jofra Archer’s unbridled desire to wear the white jersey again for the national team.
England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated Jofra Archer’s unbridled desire to wear the white jersey again for the national team. However, he understands the need not to risk the pacer at this stage. Jofra Archer had a sensational debut Test series, taking 22 scalps in four matches during the 2019 Ashes. However, the right-arm speedster hasn’t played in the format since 2021 and returned to international cricket this year after a lengthy hiatus due to injuries.
Jofra Archer bowled in 12 matches of the IPL 2025, picking up 11 wickets. The speedster bowled some exceptional spells in the powerplay, wrecking the top orders. Jofra Archer made his comeback to red-ball cricket after more than four years on Sunday (June 22), and on Monday, he picked up 1 wicket for 28 runs in 14 overs for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship Division One match taking place at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
Jofra Archer, who has 42 wickets to his name in 13 Tests played so far, last took the field for England in whites against India during the Ahmedabad Test played from February 24 to 25 in 2021. In addition to his bowling, Jofra Archer impressed with his batting as well for Sussex. He came out to bat at No. 10 in the first innings and, with the help of three fours and one six, scored 31 runs from 34 balls.
Following his return to Test scenario after 2021 , Jofra Archer was instrumental with his performance with the ball clocking speeds in excess of 145kph scalping 5 wickets across 2 innings with an important 3-fer in the second innings that triggered Indian collapse on Day 5. After a memorable win Jofra Archer seemed hungry for more success in red ball cricket and wished to go any hard yardsticks to be on the plane to Australia in winters for Ashes 2025-26.
I want to play Ashes- Jofra Archer
England fast-bowler Jofra Archer has declared that he’ll do ‘everything in my power’ to be fit for the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia at the end of the year. The pacer said he’ll also play the remaining two Tests of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy if the Brendon McCullum-led team management allows him to.
Jofra Archer spent the last four years of his career in Test abeyance due to serious stress injuries in his back and elbow. He made his international comeback recently and was in line to be in the Test squad for the India series, too, but then he suffered a thumb injury, which delayed it till the recent Lord’s Test.
He returned like he had never left, clocking speeds of over 145kph with scary consistency and taking five important wickets. His exploits included the dismissals of Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar early on Monday morning which set the foundation for England’s 22-run victory.
“I can play the other two if they let me,” Archer was quoted as saying by the BBCafter the Test.
“I don’t want to lose this series. I said I wanted to play the Test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. One tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane to Australia in November.”
He was also asked if he ever doubted his chances of playing Test cricket again.
“No. Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. The guys have played some really exciting cricket since ‘Baz’ took over,” Archer said.
The mentality of the team under ‘Baz’ suits the way I like to play. So, you know, I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it.”
England and India will play the fourth Test after a nine-day gap, at Old Trafford from July 23. The pitch generally supports fast-bowling so the hosts would hope to play their most fearsome pacer Jofra Archer for another game before letting him rest the next few weeks.
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