Archer ruled out, Bairstow returns as England announce Test squad

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Fast bowler Jofra Archer was Tuesday ruled out of the Ashes with a stress fracture to his right elbow as England announced their Test squad to face Ireland next month.

The 28-year-old Sussex quick, who was recently in action in the Indian Premier League, will not play again "for the rest of the summer", the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

"Recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow," the ECB said. "He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management."

A tweet from CODE Cricket mentioning the latest development about Archer, suggested Steve Smith had been ‘terrorised’ by the fiery pacer. However, the 33-year-old Aussie batter replied: ‘remind me when I was dismissed by him.’

 

Terrorised? 🤔 remind me when I was dismissed by him….

— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) May 16, 2023

 

Archer has yet to take Smith's wicket in Test cricket, but he did gain significant attention when he struck him on the head with a powerful bouncer traveling at a speed of 92 miles per hour during the 2019 Ashes Test match at Lords. As a result of the impact, Smith was unable to participate in the subsequent match due to a concussion.

England play Ireland in a four-day Test starting at Lord's on June 1, with a five-match Ashes series against Australia starting later in the month.

Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow is now fully fit, having recovered from breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle during a round of golf, and is back with England for the first time since last August, meaning there is no place for Ben Foakes.

Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns while Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back after taking a break from the tour of New Zealand.

Surrey batsman Ollie Pope has been officially confirmed as England's vice-captain with immediate effect.

"It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer," said ECB managing director for England men's cricket Rob Key.

"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."

Key said it was a "seriously tough decision" to leave Foakes out of the squad.

"He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about," he added.

England squad

Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood