GET READY FOR BLAST JOF

Lethal weapon Archer can turn back the clock

- MIKE WALTERS

BEN STOKES says Jofra Archer can be as destructive as the warhead who exploded on the Test stage in 2019 when he makes his encore at Lord's today.

To nobody's surprise, but universal excitement, 95mph Archer's comeback was confirmed when he was named in England's lineup for the third Test against India.

And captain Stokes believes he can make the same impact as the super-over hero at the World Cup final and whiplash-pace bowler who roughed up the Aussies six years ago.

A painfully long list of injuries, mainly stress fractures to his elbow and back, means Archer is playing his first home Test since 2019 and winning only his 14th cap.