Performance review of Jofra Archer’s Lord’s comeback

Jofra Archer marks stunning Test comeback with 5-wicket haul – A look at his return to red-ball cricket.

Jofra Archer perhaps felt more nerves last week at Lord’s during the third Test against India than when he debuted in the Ashes 2019. It was the same ground, but the buzz was totally different. Comebacks are never easy in any sportsman’s career. On debut, the supporters backed their young player. Meanwhile, on the comeback, besides backing, there is a line of expectation to deliver from the individual. 

For Archer, the week was mentally draining, especially after returning to the longest format after four years. Many fans and commentators in the United Kingdom predicted that the Barbados-born might not turn up for the longest format. But he did. Behind the scenes, there was incredible work from the ECB, as the veteran sacrificed a lot. But most importantly, he made it memorable. 

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Jofra Archer ends four-year wait with memorable opening over in first innings
As the Ben Stokes-led side batted first, it was the best thing for the right-arm pacer to feel the atmosphere from the balcony. Although on the second day, there was anxiety among the players and the fans. Archer walked out to bat in England whites for the first time in nearly 1500 days. He could not do much, but by the afternoon session, he got the ball in hand. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal had already smashed Chris Woakes for three boundaries in the opening over. Archer marked his run-up and stood with open eyes at the pavilion end. The left-handed batter played the very first ball gingerly as the crowd swelled with pride. 

He pitched up the second ball and invited the drive. The Mumbai batter didn’t move his feet as the ball nibbled away and flew to the wicket-keeper. 

Before this clash, he appeared in the County Championship 2025 fixture for Sussex against Durham. The pacer returned with figures of 1/32 in 18 overs. Back to the Lord’s as Archer delivered the third ball of the opening over. This time, he earned success. On a perfect length, it squared up Jaiswal, who nicked it into the slip region. Archer roared in celebration as the crowd erupted to get on their feet. It was a rare failure for the India opener against this opposition. 

The fourth ball of the over jagged back at the tourists’ number three, Karun Nair. The Vidarbha batter had no idea of the 151 kph pace. On the last ball of the same over, the experienced fast bowler displayed his unique skill. The length ball raised on the off stump as Nair tucked it away into the leg side. But it was a nervous shot. 

Later, he found Washington Sundar’s edge into the hands of Harry Brook to finish with figures of 2/31 in 13 overs. Now what? Next, it was the return into the second innings after draining his energy in the first. 

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Jofra Archer’s Lord’s Test memory glorifies their 22-run victory 
In the second innings, Jofra Archer and England were under pressure. They were defending only 192 runs in the fourth innings. His second ball of the opening over was tickled fine to beat the fielder for a boundary. Two balls later, it was a replica of the first inning. 

After driving the third ball, Jaiswal was prepared on the front foot. But the Barbados-born tested the batter on the back foot. It was a short ball outside the off stump as the batter went for the pull shot. He didn’t get the expected connection to see the ball balloon in the air before Jamie Smith grabbed it comfortably. 

Then came July 14, the fifth day of the red-ball contest. Six years ago, on that day, he carried the Eoin Morgan-led side to the 2019 ODI World Cup title. Archer had the responsibility, and Stokes did the right job by giving him the ball to start the morning session. 

Rishabh Pant used his feet and smashed the pacer for two successive boundaries. But the West Indies-born had the last laugh. He went with the angled length ball from wide of the crease, which nipped away a touch. Pant showed the straight bat as the ball went past the outside edge and broke the top of the off stump. 

Then came a moment that showed all the sacrifices and hard work of the premier pacer. It was a 140 kph full-length ball, angled in towards the middle and leg. Washington Sundar, the left-handed batter, closed the bat face a fraction early and ended up skewing it in the air. What did Archer do? With excellent reflex, he stretched his right hand and grabbed it above the turf. 

The 30-year-old returned with figures of 3/55 in 16 overs. He has now increased his wicket-tally to 47 scalps in 26 innings at an average of 30.02. Now, just like Jasprit Bumrah, eyes are on Archer’s fitness. England are currently leading the series by 2-1. 

Thanks to the nine-day break, he can surely play the fourth Manchester Test. And he will also have the chance to earn an unbeatable series lead of 3-1 for the hosts and rest for the final Oval Test. But that will be the acid test for Jofra. How much could he pull up? After all, he will try his best to earn the tickets for the Ashes 2025/26 down under. 

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