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The third Test of the ongoing five-match series between England and India is scheduled to be played at the iconic Lords Cricket Ground in London from July 10 to 14. The series is currently levelled at 1-1, after both the teams got a win in the first two matches. England stunned India by chasing a target of 371 runs in the Test in Leeds. After that, India made a great comeback and defeated the hosts by a huge margin of 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, registering their first-ever Test win at this ground.
Now, both England and India will be looking to take a lead of 2-1 in the upcoming Test at Lords. Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the second Test is set to return for the Lords Test. Along with this, English fast bowler Jofra Archer is very likely to make his Test return after four years according to head coach Brendon McCullum. Jofra last played a Test match in February 2021 and was sidelined due to injury. He was also included in England’s squad for the second Test but couldn’t pay due to personal reasons. Now, McCullum confirmed that Archer is available for selection for the Lords Test.
“He will certainly be available for selection, and if you look at it, our seamers have gone two Tests on the spin, and we have got a short turnaround before we head down to HQ. We’ll let the dust settle on this one, but Jofra is looking fit, he’s looking strong, he’s looking ready to go, and he’ll come into calculations,” McCullum was quoted as saying by Republic World.
It’ll be a blockbuster either way: Brendon McCullum ahead of Lords Test
Brendon McCullum also rooted for a thrilling contest between England and India in the upcoming Lords Test starting on July 10. “Something with a bit more pace, a bit more bounce and maybe a little bit of sideways (movement), hopefully,” McCullum said as quoted in Independent UK.
“It’ll be a blockbuster either way, but I think it’s going to set up for a cracker, especially if there’s plenty of life in it,” English head coach further added.
