Ahead of a busy Test summer, England have been handed an early blow with star pacer ruled out of the three-match ODI series against West Indies starting May 29. The injury means the 30-year-old, who was set to feature for England Lions in their match against India A in first week of June with an eye on a Test call-up, may have to wait for his turn.
Archer sustained the injury while playing for the against the on May 4 in the . England said he will “reassessed over the next fortnight to determine when he may return to action”. The 30-year-old had been left out of the squad for the following three-match T20 series in order to play for England Lions against India A.
Archer, who last featured in a Test back in February 2021, was supposed to ease into the England squad on the back of the A series. With his return slightly delayed, it remains to be seen if England include him straightaway for the first Test against India starting on June 20 at Leeds. Archer has been hampered with back and elbow injuries since he last played Test cricket for England in February 2021.
Reports emerging from England indicate that in case Archer isn’t able to feature in any of the Lions fixtures against India A, then he could turn up for Sussex in County Championship to test himself ahead of the five-match Test series.
For the five-match Test series which kick-starts a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, England are already without their other pacer Mark Wood. With Archer also injury-prone, England will not have his services for the entire duration of the series and have already given a maiden call-up to 27-year-old seamer Sam Cook. With 321 first-class scalps to his name at an incredible average of 19.85, England believe his experience could come handy and bolster an attack that is ravaged by injuries.
Other than Cook, with Chris Woakes also not regaining full fitness because of an injury he suffered during the SA20, England’s pace bowling options only include Gus Atkinson, Matthew Pots and Josh Tongue. Beyond them, captain Ben Stokes is the other seam bowling option, and he is returning to international cricket after a long cap, having injured his hamstring mid-December.
England are scheduled to play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe beginning Thursday at Nottingham.
