The English skipper, Joe Root has described their fiery pacer, Jofra Archer bowling “at the speed of light”, as the latter will be making a comeback for the third and the final Test against the Windies at Old Trafford on Friday after the Archer was racially abused online. Archer was included in a 14-man squad for the final Test at the same venue where England registered a series-leveling victory.
In a Daily Mail column published on Wednesday, the 25-year-old pacer acknowledged that it (breach bio-security protocols) was an error of judgment but said he had not “committed a crime”. He added, “I need to be 100 percent mentally right so that I can throw myself into my cricket this week.”
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But having reassured England captain Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood about his mental state, Archer can be expected to make a comeback in the playing XI for teh final Test as the thre0match series is currently leveled at three-Test campaign all square at 1-1.
Talking to the reporters on Thursday, Root said, “Jofra will be ready for it. He’s bowled the speed of light over the last couple of days in spicy nets so it wasn’t much fun for our batters.” Downplaying the abuse Archer had received on social media, Root said: “Obviously you can’t understand all of it, some of which is really disgusting. But he needs to know he doesn’t have to deal with it on his own, he’s got good people around him who want him to be happy.”
Meanwhile, England has a matter of concern for the fitness of Ben Stokes following his starring role during their 113-run win last time out. But he pulled up during his final over, with Root saying Stokes had suffered a quad injury. England has all six of its frontline fast bowlers available.
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While concerns have been raised about how the West Indies fast bowlers will pull up, but their batsmen need to get their hand up in order for them to register their first Test series victory in England for 32 years.
Talking about the same, captain, Jason Holder said: “I’m 100 percent behind Shai, we all know what he can produce. We still have a really good opportunity to win this series and everybody’s upbeat for the occasion because we know what’s at stake.”
