Jofra Archer’s long-standing elbow injury has flared up again, ruling him out of England’s two-Test series against New Zealand in June. What’s more, the fast bowler may now even require surgery on the elbow, which may put him in doubt at least for the initial part of the five-Test series against India in August.
Archer had been taking injections to manage the elbow injury and also had surgery to remove a shard of glass from the middle finger of his right hand. While he has not faced further issues with the finger, pain in the elbow meant he was able to bowl only five overs for Sussex against Kent in the second innings of a County Championship game in Hove.
Archer had bowled 13 impressive overs in the first innings. He had then said that he was feeling fine and was looking forward to playing against New Zealand if he could maintain his fitness.
"I really feel for him (Archer). He's in a difficult situation, with that skill of bowling really fast being taken away from him if you like,” Sussex skipper Ben Brown said. “This week has been very challenging for him. He was hopeful about how it would go, but he's felt pretty sore in this game (against Kent)."
"The England and Sussex medical teams will now seek guidance," the England and Wales Cricket Board stated, "and Archer will see a medical consultant later this week to determine the next course of action on the management of his elbow."
Archer had a superb Indian T20 League 2020 for Team Rajasthan but missed the 2021 edition with the finger surgery. He is crucial to England’s plans for the T20 World Cup later this year. England take on Australia in the Ashes thereafter, where a fit Archer could be a handful on bouncy pitches Down Under.
Featured photo: Jewel SAMAD / AFP
