Jofra Archer looks set to miss the entire English Test summer as he continues his recovery from an elbow injury.
England will play three Test matches against New Zealand, one against India and three Test matches against South Africa this summer, with Archer looking set to miss all of them.
The 27-year-old sustained a stress fracture in his elbow in 2020 and has been unable to shake it off. Archer has played just six of England’s last 26 Test matches.
Archer underwent a second operation before Christmas, which was said to be a success. Archer has since been seen bowling, both in the nets with England in Barbados in January and today with Sussex.
Tim Wigmore’s exclusive in The Telegraph suggests that Archer may be eased back into the England set up by playing short form T20 cricket.
England have reiterated that they would like Archer to be fit to play Test cricket. However, the strains of Test match cricket on his elbow mean they will likely have to ease Archer back in, rather than preparing him for Test match cricket right away.
Appearing for Sussex in the Vitality Blast could be a feasible target for Archer’s return. The Blast starts in May and could feature Archer. Otherwise, appearing for Southern Brave in August’s The Hundred competition could be another target. Archer’s return to international cricket could be for England’s first T20 of the summer being against India on July 7 at the AGEAS Bowl in Southampton.
Archer is widely viewed as one of the best fast bowlers in the world and will be a vital part of a post-Anderson and Broad era. His stock still remains very high across the globe. Despite injury ruling him out of the entire 2022 competition, Archer was bought for £780,000 by the Mumbai Indians in last weekend’s IPL mega auction.
England will be hoping that Archer can be fit to play an integral part in the IT20 World Cup in Australia in October and November. Archer was sorely missed as an injury ravaged England side was knocked out at semi final stage by New Zealand in November’s World Cup in the UAE.
