By Rex Clementine
English summers and gripping Test matches go hand in hand. From the golden tales of 1948 when Sir Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten, to the heroics of ‘Botham’s Ashes’ in 1981 and the 2005 Ashes that turned the tide for English cricket, the long-format drama has never failed to deliver on these shores.
This ongoing series between England and India is shaping up to be another classic in the making.
The seesaw battle has seen England draw first blood at Headingley, only for India to hit back in style at Edgbaston — a venue where they had never previously won a Test. And now, as the caravan moves to Lord’s, the stage is set for a showdown brimming with star power and high stakes.
Adding spice to the Lord’s encounter is the return of two express pacemen — Jofra Archer for England and Jasprit Bumrah for India. Archer hasn’t played a Test since February 2021, but raw pace like his can rattle even the most settled batters. While his Test numbers may not jump off the page, Archer brings an X-factor that England’s attack has sorely missed.
To make room, England have benched Josh Tongue — the series’ leading wicket-taker — not for lack of form but as part of a workload management plan. In another era, it would have been Chris Woakes making way, but such is modern cricket.
India, meanwhile, have kept their cards close to the chest. Bumrah’s inclusion seems a foregone conclusion, but who makes way remains a conundrum. Akash Deep had come in as a replacement, but it’s likely that Prasidh Krishna — despite his promising spells — will have to carry the drinks.
The Bazball era has turned Test cricket on its head — and not just in terms of batting philosophy. Traditionally, English wickets are a seamer’s delight, offering movement both through the air and off the pitch. But at both Headingley and Edgbaston, the surfaces were as flat as pancakes, tilting the balance in favour of the bat.
There are murmurs that the pitch might offer a bit of nip and bounce, which would be welcome news for England’s quicks — especially with Archer back in harness. How India’s batters, particularly their top order, cope with any lateral movement will be a key subplot.
Shubman Gill’s staggering 430-run haul in the second Test was the cornerstone of India’s win. Keep him quiet, and England could flip the script. You can be certain England’s think tank has done its homework, drawing up detailed blueprints to expose any chinks in his armour.
With hot, dry weather forecast in London, England have retained off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, banking on the pitch breaking up later in the match. The Lord’s surface does have a history of offering turn as the game progresses, especially under a baking sun. The MCC, in a nod to the unrelenting heat, has relaxed its strict dress code for members — jackets off, ties will do.
The spotlight will also be on the two wicketkeepers — England’s Jamie Smith and India’s Rishabh Pant. Neither is the safest pair of hands behind the stumps, but their batting prowess adds a dangerous dimension to their respective line-ups. They represent the new breed of glovemen, who can turn a game on its head with the bat — redefining the role in this format.
Pant’s counterpunching is already the stuff of legend, while Smith, the new kid on the block, is making a name for himself in England colours although he’s doesn’t keep wickets for his county Surrey.
With the series delicately poised at 1-1, and momentum swinging like a pendulum, the Lord’s Test promises edge-of-the-seat action. Expect fireworks, grit, and maybe even a twist in the tale on the final day.
All roads lead to the home of cricket, and if history is any guide, fans are in for a five-day feast.
