England cricket team suffered a massive blow ahead of the second Test against India as their ace fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out, the England and Wales Cricket (ECB) said on Thursday.
The 25-year-old pacer was unable to train on Thursday after reporting pain in his right elbow and had subsequently undergone a painkilling injection.
"Jofra Archer will miss England men's second Test against India in Chennai starting on Saturday after having an injection in his right elbow. The injection follows discomfort the fast bowler experienced during the 227-run win in the first Test at the same venue," said the ECB in a statement.
We can confirm that @JofraArcher will miss the second Test against India in Chennai starting on Saturday after having an injection in his right elbow.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 11, 2021
"The issue is not related to any previous injury and it is hoped the treatment will allow the condition to settle down quickly, allowing the player to return to action in time for the third Test in Ahmedabad."
Earlier, England head coach Chris Silverwood had hinted that the visitors might rest veteran fast bowler James Anderson for the second Test as they look to continue their rotation policy.
"I am not reluctant to change a winning team if it is the best thing to do for the players and the team and our longevity over a long period. Yes, he (Anderson) is a class act, but you'll have to wait and see," Silverwood told the media on Wednesday.
Archer in his column for Daily Mail said that he was suffering from stomach ache after the final day of the first Test, which England won by 227 runs.
"I'm not a big beer drinker and I would normally have a spirit to celebrate, but I didn't partake because I wasn't feeling well. I had a serious tummy ache, which might have been food poisoning, so I just slept. Stuart Broad didn't feel too good either. Nevertheless, because of the quality of the opposition, our win felt like a serious achievement," he wrote.
Joe Root-led England have added 30 points to their kitty after defeating India in the first Test and they need to win at least two more matches in the ongoing four-match series to seal their place in the ICC World Test Championship final (WTC).
Feature image courtesy: Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP
