England squad: Jofra Archer recalled for crucial Test series decider with West Indies

Fellow fast bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood also return to the squad after being rested for the second Test

England have recalled Jofra Archer to the squad for the crucial series decider against West Indies at Old Trafford, which begins on Friday, after the fast bowler missed the second Test for breaking bio-secure protocols.

Archer was fined a match fee and had to undergo five days in quarantine after leaving the Test series’ bio-secure bubble to stop off at his flat in Hove en route to Manchester from the first game at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl.

He revealed this week that he had reported racist abuse on social media to the ECB and was feeling demotivated following the furore around the incident, but has been included nonetheless and is expected to play as England look to clinch a 2-1 series win.

England teammates and staff have rallied around Archer. As national selector Ed Smith put it, the 25-year old is “fit, firing and raring to go”.

That sentiment was echoed by the Test captain, Joe Root, who had been in touch with Archer throughout his period of isolation.

“He’s bowled the speed of light over the last couple of days in spicy nets so it wasn’t much fun for our batters,” said Root. ”It was disgusting to see some of the stuff he’s had to put up with over the last week it really is. As a squad we’ll try to be around him and make sure he knows we’re all there for him. No-one should have to deal with that whether you’re a professional sportsman or a kid growing up at school no-one should go through anything like that and it’s deeply disappointing and there’s no other word for it other than disgusting.

“We had some good conversations over the past few days. It’s really important he’s in a mental good enough place to play the game. We’re all here to support him. We’re all here to support him. A lot of it will be he had a smile back on his face because he was playing again. He was back out there with ball again and doing what he loves most, and that is playing cricket.”

Archer’s return means England have all their Test-capped bowlers available for selection with, James Anderson and Mark Wood also return to the squad after being rested for the second Test, and with Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran all retained following that 113-run victory, there will be fierce competition for a place in the starting XI. Sussex’s Ollie Robinson drops out.

The balance of the side, however, could be redressed after Root revealed that allrounder Ben Stokes could play as a batsman only. That’s not so much of an issue in itself: Stokes is probably England’s best batsman now as evidenced by 176 and an unbeaten 76 in the second Test. A decision will be made on the morning of the game, once conditions are taken into account along with how Stokes is feeling regarding adding some extra seam-bowling cover.

One change that definitely will not be made is to drop Jos Buttler. Certainly not yet. The wicketkeeper has only reached 50 once in his last 23 innings and has struggled to replicate not just his white ball form but the run in 2018 when recalled that saw him average 44.50 that calendar year.

The decision to bring Buttler back was one of the early feathers in Smith’s cap as a selector. Naturally, when asked whether the 29-year old was lucky to still be in place for what would be his 44th Test cap, Smith defended the decision to keep him in position.

“Jos was recalled to the side 27 matches ago in May 2018,” started Smith. “First there is Jos’ form, and he averages around 31 in that time and has contributed to a lot of wins with his own personal contributions and then there is a the team’s form.

Jos Buttler has been backed by selector Ed Smith (Getty)

“The team has won 16, lost nine and a couple of draws. In the 27 Tests preceding that, England won 10, lost 14 and drawn three. What we do in selection is based around the team winning and every player who has played in this period of time have contributed to that good form as a team.

“We want good combinations and we want the team to evolve with winning performances at team level. That is the general picture. In the individual picture Jos is very self aware and very determined in every format he plays and I’m sure he’ll be looking to do his best in the Test coming up.”

Root echoed the crux of this sentiment, especially Buttler’s selflessness. He could have easily pocketed an elusive half-century in the first innings of the second Test, but was caught on the boundary on 40 when trying to move the score along before England’s day two declaration on 469 for nine. In the second innings, he opened the batting and scored a duck when trying to boost a second innings lead.

“If you look at the last game, both times he was left in a situation where he basically given his wicket up for the good of the group,” said Root. “That’s the sort of player he is and how he goes about his cricket. That’s why he’s so vital to our team – because he’s willing to play in a manner that suits the situation and suits what we need from him at any given point.

“I feel a score is just around the corner for him. He’s an experienced player, so I’m sure he knows that. He will be desperate if he gets an opportunity to get in this week to make it count.”

England squad for third Test

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Dominic Bess (Somerset), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).