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England great James Anderson has backed the inclusion of Jofra Archer for the third Test against India in the five-match series, which is all set to begin from July 10 at the iconic Lord's. England suffered a massive 336-run defeat at Edgbaston, Birmingham resulting in the series being levelled at 1-1.
Anderson who has spent his time on the England coaching staff as a fast-bowling consultant ever since he retired from Test cricket believes that either it is now or Archer will never be able to make a comeback.
"You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then." Anderson said.
Archer hasn't played a Test since the 2021 but recently made his red-ball comeback for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship two weeks ago, bowling 18 overs and was part of the England squad for the second Test at Edgbaston.
Lancashire pacer Anderson believes that the 30-year old should play because this Test is pivotal.
"I think he will play. He's played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you've got to play him. It's too crucial a game not to," the 42-year-old added.
McCullum hopeful of Archer's comeback
Head coach Brendon McCullum has also thrown his support towards Archer's inclusion but is yet to confirm whether the Barbados-born pacer will return in whites in the Lord's Test.
"Jofra is looking fit, he's looking strong, he's looking ready to go, and he'll come into calculations," McCullum said.
Following his comeback after a series of injuries including stress fractures and elbow problems, England head coach is ecstatic upon his recovery.
"It's hugely exciting. He's buzzing as well. He's obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket", he said.
"We all know what he's capable of achieving in Test cricket and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he's able to recapture and also improve on what he's been able to do already in that form of the game."
Archer's return is a part of a broader selection debate following the contention of Gus Atkinson after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Will Bethell come in Bashir's place
When asked about batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell's inclusion, McCullum clarified that the 22-year old will not be replacing the underfire primary spinner Shoaib Bashir.
"He's a batting option," McCullum said of Bethell. "He's the next one in if something happens.
"He wants to keep improving his bowling so that he can obviously impact the game across both the bat and ball. It's not something we'd look at from a tactical point of view to do", he concluded.
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