JOFRA’S SET TO CLEAN UP IN THE IPL

JOFRA ARCHER is a fingertip closer to fulfilling part of his £800,000 Indian Premier League contract after successful surgery to remove a fragment of glass from his right hand.

The England fast bowler, 25, suffered the freak injury to his middle finger in January when the fish tank he was cleaning in the bath at home in Brighton smashed.

Although the problem did not prevent him from playing in the Test and T20 series in India, a separate elbow injury requiring injections and rest forced him to miss all three one-day internationals – and he took the opportunity to have an op on his hand on Monday.

Archer (left) faces two weeks of rehab before specialists decide if he is fit to join Rajasthan Royals’ IPL crusade later this month.

In a jam-packed 2021 schedule, culminating in a T20 World Cup and The Ashes, Archer has prioritised England availability ahead of lucrative franchise assignments. His finger injury has been resolved, but concerns remain about long-term problems with his right elbow.

An ECB statement read: “Further updates on Jofra’s elbow injury will be provided once he has returned to bowling to assess the effectiveness of his recent injection.

“He suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in

January shortly before flying to India. The ECB’S medical team managed the injury on the tour and it did not impact on his availability.”

Meanwhile, Jason Roy (right) has become the 14th England player to sign up for this year’s IPL – which starts in eight days – after he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad as a late replacement for Aussie

Mitchell Marsh.

The Surrey star could open with Jonny Bairstow (left) – the duo having clocked up 13 century stands in 43 one-day internationals.