New Delhi: England pacer Jofra Archer has said he is ready to play the remaining two Test matches against India in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy despite concerns over his workload. Archer made an emphatic comeback in the recently concluded Lord’s Test between India and England. The pacer produced an impressive spell in India’s second innings to help the hosts secure a thrilling 22-run victory.
England rode on a brilliant bowling effort led by Archer and skipper Ben Stokes to defend a low-key total of 192 runs in India’s second innings despite a valiant knock of an unbeaten 61 from Ravindra Jadeja. Playing his first Test for England after more than 4 years, Archer quashed all doubts over his fitness and readiness for Test cricket with his excellent display.
Archer struck on the third delivery of his first over during India’s first innings to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply on 13, before taking the wicket of Washington Sundar. He followed it up with a three-wicket haul in India’s second innings to play a key role in England’s nerve-wracking victory.
Though there are concerns about his workload, Archer has said he wants to play the remaining two matches in the series to try and win it for England. Both India and England will get to rest for more than a week before the 4th Test gets underway at Old Trafford at Manchester on July 23. The fifth and final Test will be played at the Kennington Oval in London from July 31.
“I can play the other two if they let me,” Archer was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“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 added.
Archer bowled 39.2 overs in the 3rd Test against India at Lord’s and provided crucial breakthroughs at important junctures during the visitors’ second innings to turn the match in England’s favour. He removed Jaiswal on a duck on Day 4, before striking early in the first session on Day 5 to dismiss Rishabh Pant cheaply on 9, derailing India’s 193-run chase.
Archer returned to dismiss Sundar on a duck, all but ending India’s hopes of making a comeback in the contest. The pacer finished with figures of 3/55 off his 16 overs as India were bowled out for 170 in their run chase to lose the game by 22 runs.