(CMC)—Barbados-born England speedster Jofra Archer will take no part in next month’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean after suffering complications in his recovery from a troublesome elbow injury.
The 28-year-old was on the path to recovery from an elbow stress fracture but experienced pain while undergoing light training with the England squad during the World Cup in India.
England and Wales Cricket Board managing director, Robert Key, said while the side was “desperate” for the player’s inclusion, the focus now was ensuring a full recovery from injury. “Rather than pick him up in the squads, we’re just going to play it by ear, and when he’s fit and ready to come back in, he’ll come back in,” Key said. “Until he’s ready and fit, he won’t be in the squad, and even then, he’s going to take a period of building up. It’s not going to be straightforward, and we’ve got to be so careful.
“We’re desperate for Jofra. We take that bet with him that we want him back fit and able to play for England because of the upside.” Despite featuring in only seven internationals over the last three years due to injury, Archer recently penned a new two-year central contract deal, which will see him remain in England’s immediate plans. He was the hero of England’s successful 2019 World Cup campaign, bowling a dramatic super-over as the hosts beat New Zealand in a thrilling final at Lord’s.
Yesterday, the ECB announced squads for the December 3–21 white-ball tour of the Caribbean, which comprises three one-day internationals and five twenty20 internationals. Jos Buttler has held on to the captaincy of both squads but is only one of six players from the current failed 50-over World Cup title defence to be picked. The others are Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone.
SQUADS:
ODI: Jos Buttler (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Pope, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, and John Turner.
T20I: Jos Buttler (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Reece Topley, John Turner, and Chris Woakes.
