England fast bowler Jofra Archer‘s unfortunate streak of injuries continues as he is set to miss yet another summer, including a second successive Ashes series. Scans have revealed a recurrence of a stress fracture in his right elbow, dealing a significant blow to both Archer and the English cricket team. The news was confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) while announcing the squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Ireland.
Jofra Archer’s worrysome elbow
Archer’s troublesome right elbow has now suffered its third occurrence of the injury. The initial setback forced him to depart from England’s tour of South Africa in 2019-20, followed by his absence from the 2021 T20 World Cup and the subsequent Ashes series in Australia. Last summer, Archer was sidelined due to a stress fracture in his lower back, further prolonging his absence from the cricket field. Since September 2020, the talented fast bowler has had a string of injuries, limiting him to just four competitive appearances in his home country, including a game for Surrey’s Second XI.
The ramifications of Archer’s absence are significant, as he has been an integral part of England’s bowling attack. His raw pace and ability to generate steep bounce have troubled many opposition batsmen. England will undoubtedly feel the void left by his absence in the upcoming summer fixtures, particularly the high-profile Ashes series against Australia.
Bairstow returns, Pope appointed vice captain
In other team news, Jonny Bairstow makes a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a triple leg break. He will reclaim the wicketkeeping gloves from Ben Foakes, who has been left out of the squad altogether. Additionally, Ollie Pope has been appointed as the vice-captain, marking the first official appointment to the role since Ben Stokes assumed captaincy last April.
The timing of Pope’s appointment as vice-captain is noteworthy, as concerns persist over the condition of Stokes’ left knee. There is a growing possibility that Stokes may spend some time off the field during the Ireland Test, and there are even concerns about his availability for the entire match.
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