While Ashes 2023 is still a month away, English media have already started mind games by saying, “Steve Smith & Co can heave a sigh of relief as Jofra Archer, who terrorized Australia is ruled out of Ashes due to elbow injury.” Smith, who is not known to take things lying down, took a brutal dig at Archer saying, “Terrorised? Remind me When I was dismissed by him.” Follow Ashes 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The former Australia captain topped the run charts in Ashes 2019, scoring 774 runs, while Archer picked up 22 wickets in four Test matches.
In the four Test matches that Archer played, he did not dismiss Smith. However, The pacer hit the Australian batter with a 92.7Kmph bouncer on his head, which ruled Smith out of concussion in the fourth Test.
The English pacer though troubled other Australian batters and enabled a 2-2 Test series draw. Archer was targeting a return to Test cricket during Ashes, but England have to make do without their express pace bowler.
Ashes 2023: Blow for England as Jofra Archer ruled out of Ashes 2023 Pacer set for long rehab
For the unversed, England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Jofra Archer’s absence from the Summer due to recurring elbow injury.
Archer returned to action SA20 League and later went to play IPL for Mumbai Indians (MI). But Archer could not last the full season due to persistent trouble with his elbow.
“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. 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. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later,” ECB Managing Director for Men’s Cricket, Rob Key said in a statement.
With Archer out of English Summer, the pacer is set for a long rehab. He would now target the ODI World Cup 2023, which is set to be held in India from October 5 to November 18.
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