As the pacer makes his return to the Test team after a four and a half year hiatus, England captain Ben Stokes is not attempting to restrict comeback man Jofra Archer to four or five over spells. The team for the Edgbaston Test included Archer, but he didn't make the starting lineup. For the third Test, which begins on Thursday at Lord's, though, he made the team in place of Josh Tongue.

On the eve of the game, the English captain stated that Stokes will decide on the pitch if he wants to welcome Archer back and monitor his physical condition.

As with anyone else, it will be a spontaneous decision. If someone appears to be dangerous, you may give them one or two extra overs. However, there are no established rules or guidelines, and he is not, of course, limited to four or five-over spells. The day will tell how it turns out, Stokes said.

In this format, Archer has been sidelined by recurring elbow and lower back issues. In January 2020, he first sustained the elbow ailment, and he had two procedures in 2021. In May 2022, he then suffered a stress fracture in his lower back, which pushed back his return even more. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old's return brings a sense of anticipation.

"It's actually very thrilling." In my opinion, it's fantastic for fans of English as well as for Jofra. For him, it's been a long time coming. In my opinion, the manner in which he has dealt with the setbacks from his injuries throughout that time has been truly remarkable. Additionally, look at how he has managed to get back on the pitch and play cricket consistently over the past few years," Stokes said.

"I believe Jof will be quite pleased of himself for making it back here after two rather serious injury scares," he continued.

"It's going to be a good contest because he is also coming back after a long time," said Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain of India, about Archer's comeback, even though he claimed that he doesn't adapt his game for particular players. "I'm glad he's back."

After Shubman Gill spoke about the game losing its essence due to the Dukes ball losing its shape following the Edgbaston Test, both Pant and Stokes expressed similar opinions.

"The ball is losing its form, which is a major issue. It's also not our decision. Pant remarked, "You can see it's becoming de-shaped, but players can't do much about it unless the rules change." "I believe the ring can be the same, but the ball is becoming de-shaped too much. It has never occurred before.

"Players find it annoying because when the ball softens, it doesn't do much, but when you take a new ball, it does enough. "So as batters, you have to keep adjusting to it, but ultimately it's not beneficial for cricket," he continued.

In the meanwhile, Stokes stated, "Whenever we have touring teams come here, there is an issue around the balls going soft, going out of shape." I don't believe that the rings we use are Dukes rings. Somewhat bad, but hey, you have to put up with it.

"If you think the ball is out of shape, then you'll check it with the umpire, and if it goes through the rings, it goes through the rings, and you crack on, and then hopefully, eventually, it gets that badly out of shape that you are able to change it," Stokes said.

"However, the bowling team, everyone, appeared to have trouble with it. Last week in Edgbaston, it appeared to be a major concern. However, it is what it is. We keep going if it fits through. If not, we'll get a replacement.

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