‘He’s been back…’: Ben Stokes claims that Jofra Archer is ready for the challenges of Test cricket

England captain Ben Stokes has claimed that questions over fast bowler Jofra Archer's form and fitness are not necessary as he is 100 percent ready to play his first Test match since February 2021. Archer has been prone to injuries, but was named in the playing XI for the third Test at Lord's.

"It's this default of going to the worst. We are a very good nation at doing that. I see it as, Jofra has played a lot of cricket over the last two and a half years since he's been back. He's played white ball cricket for England, and got through a first-class game for Sussex and felt really good," said the skipper ahead of the Lord's Test.

"Got his loads up last week, and if we didn't think he was in a position to get through a first-class game as a bowler, we wouldn't have considered him for selection. If we did not think he was ready, or in a position to be selected, he would not be selected.

"Whenever you take the field, you are always putting yourself at risk. It's a professional sport, it's a very physical sport. We all know potentially stuff could go wrong, but we would not select someone if we didn't think they could get through," said Stokes.