Jofra Archer Excluded Due To Misdemeanour
England bowler Jofra Archer has been excluded from today’s second #raisethebat Test against the West Indies, following a breach of England’s bio-secure protocols.
The ECB have confirmed in a statement this morning that Archer will now commence five days of isolation. During this period he will undergo two COVID-19 tests. He will have to return both negative before his self-isolation period can be lifted.
The West Indies team have been made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed. The 25-year-old Sussex man has not been replaced in the 13-man squad
Archer this morning has said “I am extremely sorry for what I have done.”
“I have put, not only myself but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.”
England Cricket will hope that Jofra Archer being excluded sets a solid example for other players. The West Indies team and management are happy with Jofra Archer being excluded because it shows that England have put safety before cricket.
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Jofra Archer Excluded due – Biosecure Bubbles Must Be Adhered To
Both teams have remained in biosecure ‘bubbles’ at Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl respectively. Squad members and staff have been living, training and sleeping in these venues. Plus they have been adhering to strict health and safety procedures agreed by both cricket boards.
This news comes as a huge blow to England who are looking to bounce back from their first test defeat last week. The West Indies will welcome the news of one of England’s most dangerous bowlers’ missing out.
The second Test gets underway at Old Trafford, without Archer. The predicted start time now is 12:30 PM with the rain interrupting the start.
Jofra Archer, 25, has played just 8 test matches to date. He has scored 120 runs and taken 33 wickets. Archer bowled extremely well in West Indies’s second innings at the Ageas Bowl. However, he could not prevent the West Indies winning the game by 4 wickets, thanks to Jermaine Blackwood’s 95.
Preview For Second Test
With Jimmy Anderson also rested, it is likely that England will revert back to their seam-heavy attack. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are both almost guaranteed to start the second test match at Old Trafford due to the Jofra Archer excluded incident.
This means that England could play Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Dom Bess. Ben Stokes will likely be the all-rounder and the fifth seamer. This makes a startling change from the first test match, where England played the pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. “Jofra Archer excluded” means that England will have to change their strategy now and revert back to a conditions-based attack.
With Jofra Archer excluded, it is time for the rest of the bowlers to make their case, if they want to retain their place for the third test match. Jofra Archer could be back by then, provided he passes both coronavirus tests.
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