Jofra Archer Sidelined for Ashes 2023 with Injury

England’s hopes for the upcoming Ashes 2023 edition, set to take place during the English summer, have been dealt a significant blow. Star fast bowler Jofra Archer has been forced to sit out the entire English summer due to a recurring stress fracture in his right elbow. This unfortunate development comes after Archer’s recent withdrawal from IPL 2023 due to injury concerns.

The troubles with Archer’s elbow can be traced back to early 2020 when he initially suffered a stress fracture that sidelined him for a substantial portion of the year. In early 2021, he underwent surgery following an unforeseen injury at home, further hampering his recovery. Additionally, a stress injury in his back in May 2022 kept him out of action for the entirety of the year.

In an official statement by England Cricket Board (ECB), it was revealed that Archer has experienced a recurrence of the stress fracture, rendering him unable to participate in the remainder of the summer. The statement from ECB noted, “Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management.” Consequently, Archer’s absence from the Ashes becomes a reality. ECB’s Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, also shared insights into Archer’s fitness situation.

Archer Out with Elbow Injury

“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than late,” ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key told ICC.

Unfortunately, Archer’s injury concerns have once again forced him out of action. Initially ruled out of IPL 2023, Archer’s stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI) was cut short as he could only feature in five out of the ten games. During his limited appearances, he managed to claim just two wickets, with an economy rate of 9.50. This latest setback adds to a string of injuries that Archer has endured over the past three years, posing challenges to his continuous participation in the game.

Following his return to international cricket in January 2023, Archer’s comeback has been limited to white-ball formats, featuring in matches against South Africa and Bangladesh. Although he has made valuable contributions in the limited-overs arena, his ability to showcase his skills across all formats has been hindered by the persisting injuries.

This unfortunate turn of events leaves England with a significant void to fill in their bowling attack as they prepare to face their arch-rivals in the Ashes series. The team will need to regroup and explore alternative options to compensate for Archer’s absence and strive to regain the coveted urn.