Archer won his 14th Test cap at Lord’s. His 13th came in early 2021, against India in Ahmedabad. In the intervening period, his career was threatened by serious back and elbow injuries.
Asked if he ever doubted a possible return to Test cricket, he replied: “No.
“Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to.”
In Archer’s time away from the Test side, England were revitalised when captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took charge in 2022.
A previous run of one win in 17 matches – a series of results that Archer was part of – was reversed with a brand of attacking cricket, and England have won 25 of their 39 Tests since Stokes took charge.
“The guys have played some really exciting cricket since ‘Baz’ took over,” added Archer.
“The mentality of the team under ‘Baz’ suits the way I like to play. So, you know, I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it.”
England have recalled spinner Liam Dawson after an eight-year absence from Test cricket to replace the injured Shoaib Bashir for the fourth Test, which begins on 23 July.
Archer is joined in the squad by fellow seamers Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue.
