Scan results show that Jofra Archer will miss another summer and Ashes series owing to a right forearm stress fracture. Jonny Bairstow will replace Ben Foakes as wicketkeeper in the one-off Test against Ireland next month, the ECB said.
Archer missed England’s 2019-20 tour of South Africa, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the Ashes.
The following summer, he missed time due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Archer last played in England in July 2021, and, including a game for Surrey’s Second XI the month prior, has made only four competitive appearances in this country since September 2020 due to a series of injuries.
Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director for men’s cricket, stated, “Jofra Archer has endured a frustrating and upsetting stretch.”
He was doing well until he re-injured his elbow.
We wish him all the best in his recovery. I am confident that Jofra will return to form and win games for England regardless of the format. Hopefully sooner as opposed to later.”
Jimmy Anderson is included in the 15-man squad despite missing the final three days of Lancashire’s County Championship draw with Somerset last week due to a minor groyne strain. Mark Wood, who is presently on paternity leave awaiting the birth of his first child, joins him. And Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Chris Woakes, and Ollie Robinson offer additional seam options.
Ollie Pope has been named vice-captain, marking the first official appointment since Ben Stokes was named captain in April 2017.
Given Stokes’ left knee injury, he may miss the Ireland Test, making the statement notable.
Broad identified Pope as a potential future captain earlier this year: “I think Popey is a great leader in the group,” he said. Over the past year, he’s transformed his behaviour, self-confidence, and responsibilities. There is no doubt that he will become England’s captain in the future.”
The inclusion of Dan Lawrence makes the absence of Foakes all the more painful, even though the Essex batsman provides significantly more versatile support throughout the batting order. Lawrence, who was also a member of the party that traveled to New Zealand in February, has previously expressed his desire to return to the team he last played for in the West Indies in March.
“I may have to move up to No. 3 or possibly even the top spot in the batting order to be considered for selection,” he said. “If that’s the best method to get in, I’d give it a shot. I would bat ninth for them. I would bat anywhere if they instructed me to do so to get in.”
