England and Wales Cricket Board has concurred with fast bowler Jofra Archer’s demand of skipping the Test series against India to remain fit for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes later this year. The 26-year-old may have earlier injured his elbow during the Test series against India back in February, which resulted in him moving out of the Indian Premier League.
Archer underwent elbow surgey and he failed to recover and he is currently out of two-match Test series against the New Zealand.
“I have talked a lot about our objectives in the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, and we need to make sure he is best prepared for that,” Ashley Giles, the director of cricket at England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.
“The thing that has held him back is that he’s had two different injuries in that elbow, and it stops him doing what he does incredibly well, which is bowl quick. That must be frustrating for him,” added Giles.
Yesterday he urged the English Board not to consider him for the Indian series as well if he will not recover 100 percent. England are set to face India in a home series starting August 4.
The English summer comprises of series against New Zealand, Pakistan and India. With Archer missing all the series, the question of his credibilty ahead of the players already playing might be judged.
“One thing I am determined about post-elbow operation is not to rush my comeback because my primary focus is to be playing for England in Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes later this year,” Archer had written in his column for Daily Mail.
“Those are my targets. If I come back before then and manage to play in the home Test series against India — then fine, so be it. If I don’t, I am quite prepared to sit out the summer,” Archer had added.
“I am very confident with the medical team we have and the surgery he has had – which has gone very well – that he will be back and firing, and we’ll get him back as we’ve seen Jofra in the past,” added Giles.
“As we have picked him in the squad, we have got to think he is ready,” said Giles. “I worked closely with Has at Lancashire.
“He seems to have found his love for the game again. He is a really exciting young player, I loved working with him and he’s clearly found a home at Notts (Nottinghamshire).”