After four years of injury setbacks and anticipation, Jofra Archer returned to Test cricket with a performance that electrified Lord’s and sent a clear message to the cricketing world: his pace and menace are back at full throttle. On Day 3 of the third Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Archer delivered the fastest over of his Test career, clocking every delivery above 90 mph, and reaffirmed his status as England’s X-factor in red-ball cricket. The 73rd over of India’s innings became an instant highlight, with Archer’s speeds ranging from 90.5 mph (145.7 kmph) to a blistering 93.1 mph (149.8 kmph). As the English crowd and teammates, including Ben Duckett, watched in awe, Archer’s fiery spell evoked memories of his Ashes heroics and signaled a new chapter in his comeback story.
Jofra Archer’s electrifying fast spell lights up Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
Archer’s six-ball burst in the 73rd over was a masterclass in fast bowling. Each delivery breached the 90 mph barrier, a feat rarely seen in Test cricket and especially significant for a bowler returning from a lengthy injury layoff. The over’s fastest ball, a 93.1 mph thunderbolt, left India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja visibly uncomfortable at the crease. Even the slowest delivery in the set was a rapid 90.5 mph, underlining Archer’s relentless pace throughout the spell.
The reaction in the stands and among players was telling: Duckett was caught on camera beaming in disbelief, while the Lord’s crowd buzzed with excitement. Archer’s spell not only showcased his physical readiness but also his psychological edge—his ability to unsettle top-class batters with sheer speed and aggression. This performance echoed his 2019 Ashes exploits, where he famously rattled batters with consecutive deliveries over 93 mph. For England, who have missed Archer’s pace in red-ball cricket since 2021, his return brings a dimension that few bowlers in world cricket can match.
Here’s the video:
Jofra Archer’s 73rd over speeds:
1. 92.7 mph 🔥
2. 93.1 mph 🔥
3. 92.0 mph 🔥
4. 90.5 mph 🔥
5. 91.9 mph 🔥
6. 91.4 mph 🔥The 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 spell of his career 😱 pic.twitter.com/FgbLmBCpJS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2025
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Fans go berserk as KL Rahul hits a gritty century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
India’s gritty response with a steady progress amid the storm till Tea
Despite Archer’s fiery intervention, India’s batters showed resilience on Day 3, reaching tea at 316/5 after 91 overs, trailing England’s first-innings total by 71 runs. The day began with India on 145/3, and the partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant was pivotal. Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 100 off 177 balls, while Pant added a brisk 74, counterattacking the English bowlers and keeping the scoreboard moving.
After Pant’s run-out and Rahul’s dismissal soon after, Jadeja (40* off 70) and Reddy (25* off 77) steadied the ship, negotiating Archer’s fastest spell and the second new ball with determination. The pair’s unbroken partnership ensured India remained competitive, with Jadeja’s calm and Reddy’s resolve blunting England’s late-session aggression.
England’s bowlers, led by Archer and supported by Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir, kept up the pressure, but India’s measured approach saw them through to tea with five wickets in hand. The match remains finely poised, with both teams eyeing a decisive advantage as the contest heads into the final sessions of the day.