After Edgbaston blow, Stokes vows to ‘hit’ India hard at Lord’s

Stung by India’s series-levelling 336-run win in Birmingham, England skipper Ben Stokes claimed that his side will be aiming to hit India hard in the third Test at Lord’s, starting Thursday.

Stokes admitted that, given the standard of quality the two teams possess, he expected the series to be a balanced encounter with both sides facing ups and downs.

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“This was always going to be a series in which moments would ebb and flow, the results were bound to swing because two very good teams were going at each other.

“We came out on top at Headingley, and they came out on top in the last game. When you have two good sides going at it against each other, you are going to see that. I don’t think we feel like we have the edge over anyone. We respect our opposition, whoever that may be. We’ll be coming out this week, trying to hit them hard and obviously trying to come away with a win,” said Stokes in the pre-match presser.

England created history by pulling off the second-highest successful run chase on home soil, chasing down 371 to win the first Test at Headingley by five wickets. India hit back in style, registering their first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston in the second match, driven by Shubman Gill’s exceptional batting heroics.

Earlier on Wednesday, England made one change to the playing XI for the Lord’s Test, recalling fast bowler Jofra Archer in place of Josh Tongue. This will be the injury-prone Archer’s first appearance in Test whites in four years.

The 29-year-old has featured in 13 Tests and picked 42 wickets at an average of 31.04. Stokes acknowledged it was pretty exciting to have the right-arm quick back in the team.

“Really exciting. I think it’s great for English fans, but also for Jof. It’s been a long time coming for him. The way in which he’s handled injury setbacks over that period it’s been very commendable, and the way in which he’s gotten himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now, it’s exciting to have him back.”

“I think Jof’s going to be pretty proud of himself that he’s managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injury scares,” Stokes said.