MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – England has been dealt a significant blow in an already disappointing Ashes series, with fast bowler Jofra Archer now set to miss the final two matches due to a side strain.
The 30-year-old Barbadian has been a standout performer for England during the series, grabbing nine wickets at an average of 27.11, including a five-wicket haul.
Archer took 5-53 in Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket for six years. However, he was limited to only 12.4 overs in Australia’s second innings, and a scan on Tuesday in Melbourne revealed the side injury.
Archer also scored his maiden Test half-century in the third Test in Adelaide, which Australia won to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
It is the latest setback to Archer’s career, with the pacer only making his return to Test cricket in July following a four-year absence after spending years battling elbow and back injuries.
He made his comeback against India at Lord’s five months ago and has played five Tests before being hit by another injury.
Archer will return to the UK after the fourth Test to be assessed, after which a decision on his availability for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, beginning in February, can be made.
England captain Ben Stokes praised Archer for his effort in the Ashes. “The effort that he’s put in over these three games has been exceptional.
“There were a lot of question marks around his ability or whatever it may be coming out to Australia, and he’s put in a great effort for the team,” Stokes said.
Gus Atkinson takes Archer’s place in the England XI, while Barbadian Jacob Bethell has replaced Ollie Pope.
Pope has been dropped after a poor run of form, with his highest score in six innings on this Ashes tour being 46, and he has gone eight Tests against Australia without a half-century.
He has been under pressure since Bethell made his Test debut in New Zealand at the end of last year, when the left-hander made three half-centuries in as many matches. However, Bethell has endured a stop-start year since that breakthrough tour of New Zealand.
He has played only three first-class matches in the past year, one of which was the fifth Test against India at The Oval, when he made scores of six and five.
The 22-year-old Bethell did make 71 for England Lions against Australia A in Brisbane earlier this month.
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