Anderson backs Archer to make Test return in 'crucial' clash against India

Archer trained with England ahead of their second Test defeat at Edgbaston, and has gradually been building up fitness after returning to first-class cricket for Sussex last month.

The 30-year-old has played 13 matches for his country in the long format, taking 42 wickets, but has not featured in a Test since the tour of India back in 2021.

A series of elbow and back injuries have kept him out of Test cricket, though England head coach Brendon McCullum has said Archer was "ready to go" for the third Test at Lord's, which starts on Thursday.

And Anderson, who was part of the team when Archer last played a Test for England, believes his inclusion is a must if they stand any chance of beating India.

"You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then," Anderson told the Tailenders podcast.

𝗨 𝗡 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗧 𝗘 𝗥 𝗘 𝗗Revisit the key moments from Day 5 at Edgbaston in our latest episode of Unfiltered pic.twitter.com/PQPTgfeG6n

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England are aiming to respond after their 336-run defeat to India in the second Test, the tourists' biggest margin of victory, by runs, in an away match in the format.

It also saw England concede 1000+ runs for the third time in the format but the first time since 1939 (1011 v South Africa).

England will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats in men's Tests in England for the first time since July 2023, and Anderson believes Archer will be key to that.

"I think he will play," said Anderson.

"He's played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you've got to play him. It's too crucial a game not to."