‘I don’t want to lose this series’ - Jofra Archer wishes to feature in last two Tests against India

‌Jofra Archer made an impactful return to Test cricket when he played for England in the Lord’s Test against India. The pacer, who last played a Test match against the same opponent in February 2021, picked up a match haul of five wickets to help the home side win a thrilling contest by 22 runs and go 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.

Returning from injury, Archer gave a good account of himself, bowling just short of 40 overs in the Test and consistently clocking speeds of 145kmph. The pacer, now, looks to be part of the side in the remaining two Tests with a wider goal of making it to the team for the much-awaited Ashes summer in Australia.

"I can play the other two [against India] if they let me," he said. "I don't want to lose this series. I told Keysey [England men's managing director, Rob Key] I wanted to play the Test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. I think one tick is already there, and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November."

In fact, this was the first Test for the England pacer under the McCullum-Stokes combo and the Bazball era. However, the hosts had to avoid their much-famed approach during the game against India, but still ended up winning it by a narrow margin.

"Obviously, it [Test cricket] would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. So I played 50-over T20 for the last year, year and a half, two years. And you always just wondered… the guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz took over. I think the mentality of the team under Baz suits the way I like to play my cricket. So, you know, I just couldn't wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it."

The match was the perfect advertisement for Test cricket, with the surface carrying something for both the batters and the bowlers. Both sides were in the contest for all five days before England pipped the visitors in a thrilling climax. Both sides went at each other in full throttle and did not shy away from having a word or two during the game, with the stump mic kept busy throughout.

"I think everybody had a word today," he said. "It was nice that everybody… we went together as a group, as a pack basically. And, you know, it didn't matter if it wasn't just the bowler, you had the whole slip cordon, you had cover, you had mid-off. You had everybody going in with you. It's days like these that make Test cricket feel special.”