Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s remaining Ashes Tests with a left side strain after emerging as the tourists’ standout performer with nine wickets in three matches
England’s disheartening Ashes tour has hit a new low as their player of the series, Jofra Archer, was sidelined with the latest in a series of injuries. Archer won’t be participating in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the New Year match in Sydney due to a diagnosed left side strain, with Gus Atkinson to take his place at the MCG.
The 30-year-old bowler has spent four years grappling with various fitness issues, including stress fractures of the back and right elbow, but has been outstanding since his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket against India over the summer.
Now, after playing in each of the first three Tests against Australia, he has succumbed once again.
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He joined the squad for training on Christmas Eve at the MCG, but took no part in practice and a spokesperson later confirmed he was out for the rest of the tour.
This is sure to raise questions about Archer’s future.
In the short term, he had been slated for a key role at the T20 World Cup and must now wait for the results of further scans upon his return to the United Kingdom. In the long term, there are now renewed concerns about his body’s capacity to handle the rigours of the five-day game.
Archer recently inked a new two-year deal with the ECB, but this latest setback, after being handled with an abundance of caution on his return to action, rings alarm bells.
He has bowled a total of 80 overs in the games at Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, taking nine wickets at 27.11 and maintaining the lowest strike-rate in the touring attack.
In the third Test, he took five for 53 in the first innings and scored 51, standing out as a beacon of hope in an increasingly disastrous tour.
Meanwhile, Ollie Pope has been dropped at three and will be replaced by Jacob Bethell. Pope’s role in the England team going forward is now hugely uncertain, having been stripped of the vice-captaincy before the tour to Australia.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
