Injured England paceman Jofra Archer out of second Test

Jofra Archer will miss England’s second Test against India after picking up an elbow injury.
Out: England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the second Test against India with an elbow injury. Picture:  Shaun BotterillOut: England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the second Test against India with an elbow injury. Picture:  Shaun Botterill
Out: England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the second Test against India with an elbow injury. Picture: Shaun Botterill

Archer played his part in the tourists’ famous victory in the series opener in Chennai but has been ruled out of the follow-up at the same ground.

The 25-year-old fast bowler reported pain in his right arm during the match and, although that did not stop him sending down a fiery spell as the team pressed for the win on day five, he has since been given an injection and advised to rest.

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Archer, who did not take part in training on Thursday, previously had elbow problems during last winter’s tour of South Africa though medical staff believe the issues are unrelated and expect him to be fit for the third Test in Ahmedabad.

Not selected: Yorkshire's Joe Root is out of the England T 20 squad. 
Picture courtesy of Sri Lankan Cricket  via Danny Reuben at ECB.Not selected: Yorkshire's Joe Root is out of the England T 20 squad. 
Picture courtesy of Sri Lankan Cricket  via Danny Reuben at ECB.
Not selected: Yorkshire's Joe Root is out of the England T 20 squad. Picture courtesy of Sri Lankan Cricket via Danny Reuben at ECB.

In the short-term, England must choose who replaces Archer in the team. Recalling Stuart Broad and his 517 Test wickets is the most obvious move.

Broad had seemed likely to come in for record wicket-taker James Anderson regardless but captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood could now opt to pair the experienced duo rather than rotate them.

After Anderson’s exceptional display of reverse swing in the closing stages of the previous match that would surely be a tempting option, though Chris Woakes and Olly Stone are also waiting in the wings.

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Stone is the closest to a like-for-like option, given his ability to top 90mph and if England decide they want one bowler capable of express speed on the pitch he would get the nod.

Mark Wood is perhaps the consistently fastest England bowler but he is currently in transit from England having been granted a rest period covering the first two games of the series.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “Jofra Archer will miss the second Test against India in Chennai starting on Saturday after having an injection in his right elbow. The injection follows discomfort the fast bowler experienced during the 227-run win in the first Test at the same venue.

“The issue is not related to any previous injury and it is hoped the treatment will allow the condition to settle down quickly, allowing the player to return to action in time for the third Test in Ahmedabad.”

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The setback is the second to hit the England camp since they arrived in India, after Zak Crawley slipped on a marble floor and damaged his wrist ahead of the first Test. He is once again set to miss out but has made areturn to the nets.

Meanwhile, England have once again overlooked Test captain Root for their Twenty20 squad to take on India, but Liam Livingstone has been rewarded for a prolific time at the Big Bash with a call-up.

Yorkshire’s Root has been in irrepressible form racking up two double centuries in three Tests and 644 runs in all.

Livingstone won his only two international caps in T20s against South Africa in 2017 and has forced his way back into the fold after racking up 426 runs in 14 innings for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash.

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James Vince, meanwhile, led Sydney Sixers to the title with 537 runs – including 95 in 60 balls as he claimed player-of-the-match honours in the final.

England have chosen to rest the like of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Archer and Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow over the course of their winter Test assignments but, with a T20 World Cup looming all have been selected here.

Jake Ball and Matt Parkinson will travel as reserve players.

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