“There are no set plans or restrictions” - Ben Stokes opens up on Jofra Archer’s return to playing XI

England skipper Ben Stokes has stated that there will not be any set plans or restrictions for the pace spearhead Jofra Archer in the third Test against India at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, starting on Thursday, July 10.

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Interestingly, Archer is all set to make a comeback to Test cricket after a gap of four years. Most recently, Archer made his County cricket comeback after four years for Sussex and confirmed his return to the England XI for the third Test, replacing Josh Tongue.

In his pre-match press conference, Stokes asserted that a call on the pacer’s spells would be made at the moment, depending on the situation of the game, like for any other bowler, adding that he wouldn’t be limited to four or five-over spells.

"That’ll be a call made in the moment, as it is with anyone. If someone’s looking dangerous, you might give them an extra over or two. But there are no set plans or restrictions, certainly not limiting him to four- or five-over spells. We’ll see how it plays out on the day," Stokes said at the pre-match press conference. 

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Stokes said that it was an exciting moment for the England cricket fans and the pacer, and it had been a long time coming. The England captain also praised Archer for the way in which he handled himself during the injury setbacks.

Furthermore, Stokes also reckoned that it would be an exciting moment for the English fans and Archer himself to make it to the field after a long gap in the longest format of the game. He also added that Archer handled the injury setbacks commendably well.

"It is really exciting. I think it's great for English fans, but also for Jofra. It's been a long time coming for him. I think the way in which he's handled the injury setbacks over that period, it's been very commendable. And then the way in which he's got himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now," he added.

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England’s playing XI for third Test vs India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.

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