England bowler Jofra Archer ruled out for the remaining two Ashes tests due to a left side strain, a team official confirmed Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Archer have been battling a variety of fitness issues, including stress fractures of the back and right elbow, had made a promising return to red-ball cricket earlier this season and was one of England’s standout performers in the Ashes. It is a huge disappointment for Archer, who spent years battling elbow and back injuries in order to return to Test cricket.
His most impactful performance came in the third Test at Adelaide, where he registered figures of five for 53 in the first innings and also contributed a vital 51 runs with the bat. Despite joining the squad at training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, Archer did not take part in practice, and a team spokesperson later confirmed he would take no further part in the tour.
England will now be without one of their most experienced pace options as they prepare for the fourth Test, which begins on Friday at the MCG, followed by the fifth Test in Sydney starting January 4. Australia currently lead the five-match series 3-0 and have already retained the Ashes.
Gus Atkinson will replace Archer into the playing XI for the Melbourne Test. England has also made changes in the batting line up; Jacob Bethell has replaced No. 3 Ollie Pope for the Melbourne test. Pope is strugling at an average of 20.83 with the bat for the series.
Despite off-field controversy, opener Ben Duckett has retained his place in the side. Duckett has been under observations following the emergence of footage allegedly showing him intoxicated between the second and third Tests.
The left-hander continues to play XI, despite managing only 16 runs on average in the series so far.
England playing XI for fourth Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.
(Inputs from AP)
