Archer ruled out of Ashes owing to recurrence of stress fracture
FAST bowler Jofra Archer was ruled out of the Ashes on Tuesday with a stress fracture to his right elbow, as England announced their Test squad to face Ireland next month.
The 28-year-old Sussex quick, who was recently in action in the Indian Premier League, will not play again “for the rest of the summer”, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.
“Recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow,” the ECB said.
“He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management.”
England play Ireland in a four-day Test starting at Lord’s on June 1, with a five-match Ashes series against Australia starting later in the month.
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow is fully fit, having recovered from breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle during a round of golf. He is back with England for the first time since last August, meaning there is no place for Ben Foakes.
Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns, while Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back after taking a break from the tour of New Zealand.
Surrey batsman Ollie Pope has been confirmed as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect.
“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer,” said ECB managing director for England men’s cricket Rob Key.
“He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery.”
Key said it was a “seriously tough decision” to leave Foakes out of the squad.
“He has been excellent for England in the past year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about,” he said.
There are also concerns about James Anderson.
Meanwhile, England Test captain
Ben Stokes remains unable to bowl and is only “batting cover”, his coach at IPL side Chennai Super Kings says, in a fresh injury scare weeks before the Ashes.
Stokes has played only two matches after being bought by Chennai for $1.96 million (R37m) at the start of this season in early April, before being benched with a toe injury.
The 31-year-old all-rounder was troubled by his left knee before the IPL.
On April 21, Chennai coach Stephen Fleming said Stokes had suffered “another little setback”, but did not give any details.
On Sunday, Fleming said Stokes remained unable to bowl. Reports suggest the player will return to Britain after Chennai’s final group game at the weekend, even though the team looks set for the next round.
England squad
Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.