Any doubts as to whether Archer still had the skill for red-ball cricket were effectively answered in his first over of the match, when he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with his third delivery.
Having been given the new ball immediately on his return, he was the bowler Stokes turned to again and again throughout the match.
Archer’s new-ball spell in India’s second innings on the fourth evening, despite including another dismissal of Jaiswal, was wayward, but he still opened the bowling on day five with the game in the balance.
Archer responded by ripping out Rishabh Pant’s off stump, two balls after India’s most dangerous remaining batter had advanced to hit him for four down the ground, and added a word into the departing India wicketkeeper’s ear.
“I just told him to charge that one,” said Archer.
“He came down the track and that annoyed me a little bit so when the ball nipped down the slope, I was so grateful for that.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan described Archer’s performance as “a great comeback”.
“He bowled with that pace and X-Factor,” Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special. “England will be delighted he is back in the team.”
