Ashes 2023: Jofra Archer ruled out of England’s home summer due to elbow injury in huge reprieve for Aussies

Jofra Archer is out and several other England stars are under injury clouds as the Ashes approaches, writes DANIEL CHERNY.

England has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Ashes with pace ace Jofra Archer ruled out of the entire home summer with a recurrence of his elbow injury while captain Ben Stokes remains under an injury cloud.

Archer, whose blistering speed rattled Australia during the corresponding series in 2019, had been in doubt after returning from the Indian Premier League with the injury. A line formally put through his name by the ECB on Tuesday night (Australian time).

All-rounder Stokes, meanwhile, has been named in a 15-man squad for England’s pre-Ashes Test against Ireland at Lord’s early next month, however his capacity to bowl remains in significant doubt following a toe injury that has sidelined him for much of the IPL

Archer was the breakout star of the 2019 Ashes series in England. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England selectors have picked Jonny Bairstow to return and take the gloves following his broken leg last year.

Veteran seamer Jimmy Anderson has been named despite nursing a mild groin injury suffered playing county cricket earlier this month.

“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,” ECB managing director of cricket Rob Key said.

Archer exchanging works with Matthew in the fifth 2019 Ashes Test. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

“I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Bairstow’s recall is bad news for wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who makes way.

“We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland,” Key said

“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben 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.

“I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away.”

Bairstow was England’s best at the crease through the 2021/22 Ashes series in Australia. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

England Men‘s Test Squad for Ireland Test

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Harry Brook (Yorkshire)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)

Dan Lawrence (Essex)

Jack Leach (Somerset)

Ollie Pope (Surrey)

Matthew Potts (Durham)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

Mark Wood (Durham)

Originally published as Ashes 2023: Jofra Archer ruled out of England’s home summer due to elbow injury in huge reprieve for Aussies