Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

England are expected to go in with a new-look 11 for the third Test against India at Lord’s. The bowling attack is set to have some changes after the hosts conceded a whopping 1,849 runs across the first two matches. Plus, the bowlers have endured a heavy workload so far in the series.

Following the 336-run loss at Edgbaston, England brought Gus Atinkson into the squad. Jofra Archer is also available for selection, as are Jamie Overton, Sam Cook and Jacob Bethell.

England squad for Lord’s Test against India: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

England predicted 11 for Lord’s Test against India: 1. Ben Duckett, 2. Zak Crawley, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Ben Stokes (c), 7. Jamie Smith (wk), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Gus Atkinson, 10. Jofra Archer, 11. Sam Cook/Shoaib Bashir

England’s top seven should remain the same despite concerns around the form of Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes. It is the bowling where big changes are expected, with the potential of a completely new attack.

Jofra Archer hasn’t played a Test since February 2021. According to ESPNcricinfo, however, Archer bowled regularly during intervals at Edgbaston with the aim of being ready for the Lord’s Test.

“He’s [Archer] fit and ready to go. Obviously the other boys have had two Test matches on the spin now, so you’d anticipate you would make a change at some stage with the line-up, and Jofra is one we’ll look at,” said coach Brendon McCullum on BBC’s Test Match Special, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Gus Atkinson is also set to return according to Matt Roller’s report in the aforementioned publication. “We need to have a good look at Gus,” McCullum said. “We’ll just see how the dust settles on this [Test]. The guys had quite a heavy workload. When you chase a bit of leather, you obviously go pretty deep into your spells as well. So we’ll see how they are, and then we’ll make the decision when we get down the road.”

McCullum confirms England aren’t considering Jacob Bethell in place of Shoaib Bashir

Also, despite the option of Jacob Bethell batting down the order, England won’t pick him in place of Shoaib Bashir. “He’s [Bethell] a batting option. He’s the next one in if something happens, but we don’t crowbar anything,” the England coach said.

“He’s taking the opportunity, while he’s got some downtime away from playing and still being around the squad, to work on his spin, and I think that’s got to be a good thing… But that’s certainly not what we’re looking at [bringing in Bethell for Bashir], at the moment.”

Bashir has largely struggled so far, with India picking him off with ease. The offspinner has taken eight wickets at 59.50, with the majority of his wickets caught on the boundary. However, McCullum threw his support behind the youngster and Roller reported that “Shoaib Bashir will also retain his spot after taking eye-watering match figures of 5 for 286 last week.”

“[Bashir] is a tough kid. We know how talented he is, and we believe he’s got an immensely high ceiling. We know he’s not the finished article yet, but I feel like he’s getting better and better… I think he continues to improve, and when conditions allow, he’s going to be a real force.”

However, given England have asked for a Lord’s pitch with “pace, bounce and movement,” the thinktank may decide to play four pace bowlers. This could prove vital in managing the workloads of Archer and Atkinson.

Assuming England go with four quicks including Archer and Atkinson, they will need to pick two of Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook and Jamie Overton.

Woakes has taken three wickets at 96.66 in this series. England may avoid playing the 36-year-old after a short turnaround. However, Woakes has an outstanding record at Lord’s, with 32 wickets at an average of 12.91.

Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse have struggled for impact at certain stages, with Tongue’s ability to clean up the tail yielding him more wickets. But, England may opt for Sam Cook if the pitch has movement.

The third Test begins on Thursday July 10, three days after the completion of the second at Edgbaston. The five-match series is currently level 1-1.