Jofra Archer returns to England Test team with third-ball wicket against India

England pace bowler Jofra Archer has made an immediate impact in his first Test match in four and a half years, taking a wicket off his third ball to deliver on his "X-factor" billing against India at Lord's.

His first over was a wicket-maiden and he finished the day with figures of 1-22 off 10 overs, having been used by captain Ben Stokes for two five-over bursts in a sign of what could be to come if he can stay fit for his first Ashes tour in Australia this summer.

India finished the day 3-145, trailing England by 242 runs after Joe Root's 104 and half-centuries to Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse led the hosts to 387.

There was a buzz around a packed crowd at the Home of Cricket when Archer took the ball for the second over of India's innings in the third Test.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had already clattered Chris Woakes for three boundaries in the opening over but he played and missed at Archer's second ball and edged the next one to Harry Brook at second slip.

Archer whirled away to square leg and looked emotional as he was mobbed by his England teammates.

"The noise, the pure joy, that everyone has seeing him back in whites. Everyone is genuinely excited to see him play for England again in Test cricket," England batter Joe Root said.

Archer was bowling as fast as 150 kilometres per hour, a reminder of his worth to England after so many years away because of injuries.

He exploded onto the international scene in 2019, playing a starring role in England's victory over New Zealand in the 50-over Cricket World Cup final.

Weeks later, he had a famous spell on Test debut in the Ashes at Lord's against Steve Smith, who scored 92 on the day but was left with a concussion that forced him out of the next game after a vicious Archer bouncer.

Archer has been blighted by injuries since, chiefly because of nagging issues with his right elbow for which he has undergone two operations.

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Archer's most recent Test appearance for England was against India in Ahmedabad in February 2021. This is his first home Test since August 2020 and just his 14th overall.

Root described Archer as an "X-factor" player who offered England "something different".

"We turn to him a bit like India turn to [Jasprit] Bumrah, really," Root said.

"They are obviously at very different stages of their career and are different players, but it's great to see him being so impactful and keeping his pace up throughout his spells as well."

Archer has played nine of his 14 Tests on home soil but could be a strike weapon for England when the Ashes start in Australia on November 21.

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