READY FOR BLAST JOF

Skipper Stokes backs rocket man Archer to make explosive return after four-year injury nightmare

- BY MIKE WALTERS

BEN STOKES says Jofra Archer can be just as destructive as the warhead who exploded onto 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 XI for the third Rothesay Test against India.

Stokes believes Archer can make the same impact as the super-over hero in the 2019 World Cup final and whiplash-pace bowler who roughed up the Aussies in the Ashes six years ago.

A 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 - more than four years since the 13th in India.

Coaching staff reported that Archer was bowling “rockets” in practice at Edg-baston last week, and Stokes believes his return will lift spirits after the 336-run rinsing in the second Test.