By News18
Ben Stokes has hinted at changes in England鈥檚 11 for the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord鈥檚 after a huge 336-run loss in the second match at Edgbaston. When asked about the possibility of getting Jofra Archer into the 11, Stokes said that England have laid the foundations for it by building up his workload, adding that 鈥榚veryone鈥 in the squad will be under consideration.
England will need some changes, considering their bowling attack looked tired against the relentless assault from the Indians at Edgbaston. There are just three days between the two games as well. However, the choice isn鈥檛 easy. The two experienced options on the bench are Archer and Gus Atkinson 鈥 who has been added to the squad 鈥 but both are coming off injuries. Archer, in fact, hasn鈥檛 played a Test since 2021.
鈥淭hat鈥檒l be a decision we have to make, seeing how everyone comes together,鈥 Stokes said in the post-match press conference. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had him here this week to get around the group and build him up with his workloads and everything. So, everyone鈥檚 being considered for the game at Lord鈥檚.鈥
Meanwhile, his opposite number, Shubman Gill has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will be back for Lord鈥檚 after being rested. Stokes expressed confidence in his team鈥檚 preparedness to face him.
鈥淲e play with each other so often now that we know what to expect. You try to replicate what you鈥檒l face in training, whether through sidearms or coaches mimicking the angles and release points. It鈥檚 hard to fully recreate, but you do your best,鈥 he added.
In Bumrah鈥檚 absence, Akash Deep shone for India, taking his first-ever 10 wicket-haul. He left quite an impression on Stokes.
鈥淚 thought Akash exposed that crack last night and this morning. His ability to use and change his angles consistently and still be so accurate. He was zoning in on that crack. That one Harry Brook got this morning you can鈥檛 do anything about that,鈥 Stokes said.
鈥淪tanding at the other end when Jamie Smith got a couple of those early on. It was seaming a foot off it. Incredible skillful to hone in on that zone while still changing his angles on the crease. I thought it was good,鈥 said Stokes.