Jofra Archer undergoes second elbow surgery, ruled out of West Indies series

Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s tour of West Indies due to his long-standing issue with injury on his right elbow. On Saturday, December 11, the 26-year-old speedster went through a second operation on his injured elbow in London. Back in May, the pacer underwent an operation and returned to play for Sussex in the previous edition of the T20 Blast.

However, the was then ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2021 and the subsequent five-match Test series against Pat Cummins’ Australia. In the meantime, it’s been learned that Archer’s return to competitive cricket will be “determined in time”.

Jofra Archer’s wait prolongs

“The England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that fast bowler Jofra Archer underwent a second operation on his injured right elbow on Saturday 11 December in London. The procedure addressed the long-standing stress fracture of his right elbow,” ECB said in a statement.

“A return to cricket will be determined in time, but Jofra will not be available for any of England’s remaining Winter series,” the statement added.

England are scheduled to lock horns with the West Indies in five T20Is from January 22 to January 30 to be played at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados. Thereafter, the Three Lions will return to the Caribbean Islands in March to take part in three Tests matches in Antigua, Barbados and Grenada.

In Archer’s absence, England have gone in with fast bowling options like Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, and Tom Curran among others. Joe Root and Co. are feeling Archer’s absence quite a bit in the ongoing Ashes where the Brits are trailing 0-2.

Archer last played international cricket back in March 2021 when England toured India for a bilateral Test, ODI and T20I series. The Barbados-born has played 13 Tests, 17 ODIs and 12 T20Is for the Three Lions after making his debut back in 2019.

He was also a part of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad where he bowled the Super Over in the final against New Zealand at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Archer also got the award for the Most Valuable Player in the 2020 Indian Premier League, although Rajasthan Royals finished at the bottom of the points table.