England’s beleaguered Ashes tour of Australia has descended further into disarray with the confirmation that star pace bowler Jofra Archer will miss the remainder of the test series due to a left side strain. The injury announcement compounds a growing list of challenges facing the visiting team, both in performance and discipline.
The 30-year-old Archer, who has endured a four-year battle with persistent fitness issues including stress fractures to his back and right elbow, had demonstrated impressive form since his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket against India. Team officials confirmed his withdrawal after he participated in Wednesday’s training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground without engaging in practice drills.
Archer’s statistical contribution to the series included 80 overs bowled across the Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide tests, claiming nine wickets at an average of 27.11 while maintaining the lowest strike-rate among England’s bowling contingent. His standout performance came during the Adelaide test where he achieved first-innings figures of 5-53 and contributed 51 runs with the bat.
The injury crisis coincides with disciplinary investigations surrounding opener Ben Duckett, who remains in the squad despite footage emerging that allegedly shows the 31-year-old in an intoxicated state between the second and third tests. Duckett, averaging a modest 16 with the bat this series, has retained his position while team management conducts its review.
England captain Ben Stokes has offered his full support to the embattled player, stating: “I’ve obviously reached out, spoken to him and offered my complete support throughout this, particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you. My job as England captain is obviously to be out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of being in a mental space where they can go out there and perform.”
Team selection changes see Gus Atkinson replacing Archer in the visitors’ lineup, while Jacob Bethell comes in for the underperforming Ollie Pope, who has managed only 20.83 with the bat throughout the series.
Australia, holding an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-test series and having already retained the Ashes urn, has made strategic changes of their own. Captain Pat Cummins will be rested for the Melbourne test, with Todd Murphy replacing the injured Nathan Lyon as the team’s primary spin option.
The fourth test begins Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the final match scheduled for January 4th at the Sydney Cricket Ground.