Archer Ruled Out of England ODI Matches Against WI With Injury

Pace bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s team for the One-Day International, ODI, series against West Indies next week.

Archer could be in doubt for a proposed return to red-ball action next month, after sustaining a right-thumb injury during his Indian Premier League, IPL, stint with Rajasthan Royals.

Archer first sustained the injury while fielding during Rajasthan’s one-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on May 4.

Although it initially appeared to be a minor issue, further assessments revealed ligament damage, and following the suspension of the tournament earlier this month, he did not return to India for this week’s resumption.

He was named in England’s 16-man squad for the ODI series that begins at Edgbaston on May 29, but will now be reassessed by the England medical team over the coming fortnight to determine when he may return to action.

Lancashire’s left-arm seamer Luke Wood, who had already been named instead of Archer for the Twenty20, T20, International series that follows in June, has been added to the squad in his place.

Wood has played two previous ODIs in 2022-23, but has yet to take a wicket in the format.

Since 2021, Archer has been battling with a series of long-term injuries, including an elbow problem that required multiple operations, and a stress fracture of the back.

He made his England comeback in May last year, in time for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, and also featured in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, prior to the IPL.