Legendary seamer James Anderson has called for injury-prone fast bowler Jofra Archer’s inclusion in England’s playing XI for the third Test against India at Lord’s, starting on Thursday (July 10).

Anderson’s suggestion came after England suffered a crushing 336-run defeat at the hands of India in the second Test at Edgbaston. As a result, the five-match series currently stands level at 1-1.

Archer, who was added to the England squad last week, hasn't played Test cricket in more than four years, but recently made a red-ball return at first class level for Sussex.

"You could keep trying to build his overs up and play him later in the series, but it could be too late by then. I think he will play. He's played one game for Sussex, he was around the team at Edgbaston and bowled a bit. I just feel like you've got to play him. It's too crucial a game not to," Anderson was quoted by ICC.

After the Edgbaston thrashing, England head coach Brendon McCullum revealed that Jofra Archer is fit and available for selection, but he refused to give guarantee of the towering pacer’s return.

"Jofra is looking fit, he's looking strong, he's looking ready to go, and he'll come into calculations. It's hugely exciting. He's buzzing as well. He's obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket.

"We all know what he's capable of achieving in Test cricket and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he's able to recapture and also improve on what he's been able to do already in that form of the game," McCullum said.

Meanwhile, England have included fast bowler Gus Atkinson in their squad for the third Test as the hosts announced a 16-member squad for the Lord's game just hours after the heavy defeat in Birmingham.

England squad for Lord’s Test: 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, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

(With IANS Inputs)