Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes Recreate Lord’s Magic, Six Years On
In July 2019, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes carved their names into English cricket history with a World Cup triumph at Lord’s. Six years later, the same venue bore witness to another masterclass from the dynamic duo — this time in whites — as England edged past India by 22 runs in a nail-biting finish to the third Test.
Archer Opens Fire Early on Day 5
With India chasing 192, the tension was palpable on the final day. Archer struck early, removing Rishabh Pant with a searing delivery that hit the top of off. His celebration echoed the fire that won England the World Cup six years ago. Archer then delivered another stunning blow by diving to take a return catch off Washington Sundar — a moment that ignited the packed Lord’s crowd.
“Charge that!” he reportedly mouthed after knocking over Pant, in true showman style. And just like 2019, Archer had set the tone on the big stage again.
Stokes Delivers a Marathon Spell
While Archer lit the spark, Stokes fanned the flames with sheer grit. The England skipper bowled nearly 10 consecutive overs, claiming the crucial wicket of KL Rahul with a sharp inswinger that crashed into the pads. Despite being physically drained, Stokes continued to push through the pain barrier. No messages came from the dressing room telling him to stop this time — it was his call, and he wasn’t about to let go.
Memories from 2019 Inspire Bold Moves
Interestingly, England’s choice to start the day with Archer from the Pavilion End and Stokes from the Nursery End wasn’t entirely strategic — it was instinct. The memories of 2019, where both starred in England’s World Cup win, influenced the decision. “I felt in my gut that Jof was going to do something special,” said Stokes post-match. His intuition was spot-on.
Jadeja’s Resistance and Stokes’ Willpower
Even after India collapsed to 82 for 7, Ravindra Jadeja resisted with an unbeaten 61. As the pitch eased and the ball softened, Stokes summoned one last spell, finally dismissing Jasprit Bumrah after a 54-ball stay. By then, Stokes was running on empty. His shirt clung to his soaked frame, and he could barely move between overs. Yet his will drove England’s final push. At the end, there was no wild celebration — just a drained but proud captain.
“I didn’t have anything left to give,” Stokes admitted. “It might sink in after a couple of days, but right now I’m just knackered.”
A Victory Etched in Time
This wasn’t just another win. For Stokes and Archer, it was a full-circle moment. From lifting the World Cup at Lord’s in 2019 to sealing a tense Test match six years later, they proved once again why Lord’s belongs to them when it matters most. They’ll head to Manchester with a 2-1 series lead — and the weight of yet another iconic Lord’s moment in their legacy.
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