Follow UsThe third Test at Lord’s was right in the balance when the fifth day began, with India needing 135 runs compared to England’s six wickets. However, within minutes of the play starting, the contest tilted massively in favour of England thanks to the returning Jofra Archer, who sent the danger-man Rishabh Pant’s stumps cartwheeling through an unplayable peach.
Archer is someone who usually rarely gets in face of the batter, but on this occasion, the tearaway quick gave an aggressive, verbally-strong send-off to Pant after bowling him.
What caused Archer to give such a hostile send-off? He revealed after the game.
"I just told him to charge that [particular ball],” Archer said, reported Sky Sports.
"I was struggling a little bit and one of the full balls he charged p****d me off a little bit, so when the ball nipped down the slope I was so grateful. I think that gave everyone the energy to push for this win."
This was Archer’s first Test in four years, and it was a comeback that was in itself years in the making. England carefully managed the 30-year-old, and they reaped rewards for their patience in the Lord’s Test, where he took massive wickets to help England go 2-1 up in the series.
"It was a long journey and I was a bit emotional. I tried my best not to be but when I got the first wicket I think that all went out of the window. All the joy. The whole crowd gave me a huge lift,” Archer revealed.
"The hardest part has been playing cricket for the last year and a half and still having the training wheels on talking about workloads - bowl today, don't bowl tomorrow.
"Sometimes you think you are ready but you never know until you do it. The safer way is the best way so I am not too fussed and this is surely worth the wait.
"The plans Keysey [England managing director of cricket Rob Key] and I made a few years ago are starting to fill the calendar. I am a bit speechless as to how things are coming on.
"I think I still have overs marked out until December so I am not totally out of the woods but this is a good start. It was very hectic for a first Test back. I bowled more overs than I thought I would.”