England, coming into the 3rd Test at Lord’s after a defeat to the visitors at Edgbaston, turned around the odds in style as they won the match by 22 runs. While both sides were bowled out for 387 in their first innings, England found themselves in trouble after the Indian bowling attack worked brilliantly to end their second innings at 192. With the odds falling in India’s favour, England needed to respond adequately on the final day. With the visitors reduced to 58/4 by stumps on Day 4, it was Jofra Archer that made headlines once again as play resumed on Day 5. It was the 30-year-old that claimed the crucial wickets of Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar on Monday, that too, in his first spell of the day, handing England the upper hand.Reacting to Archer’s return and why the captain put all his trust on the pacer who was back from a long spell of injuries, skipper Ben Stokes revelaed his motivation behind the same. “There was a bit of discussion in the dressing room around letting him (Brydon Carse) keep going, but in my gut, because of the day six years ago—we won that World Cup, Jofra played a massive moment in that—I just thought it was set up for him to do something that Jofra does,” Stokes told BBC Sport.Carse, who shocked Indian batters at the end of Day 4 with the crucial wickets of Karun Nair and Shubman Gill paved the way in subduing India’s charge to the 193 target set by England.
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“That Rishabh Pant wicket was awesome. The caught-and-bowled, obviously—those two wickets in that first spell he bowled really blew the game open for us. Sometimes the gut works,” said the skipper with a subtle laugh, reacting to his decision that ultimately paved the way for a thrilling England win.With the series tipping 2-1 in England’s favour, the 4th Test at Old Trafford Cricket Ground starting July 23 becomes a must-win affair for Shubman Gill and his men. The 5th and final Test will be played at The Oval in London.
