Reality check for Archer as England suffers another injury

After a frightening spell on Wednesday, English fast bowler Jofra Archer was brought back to earth. Elsewhere, another Pommy quick’s gone down.

England paceman Jofra Archer got another day’s bowling under his belt to strengthen his chances of a Test debut next week at Lord’s.

Archer, who has been recovering from the side strain he picked up during England’s World Cup triumph last month, is attempting to prove his match fitness playing for Sussex’s second XI.

If he does so, the 24-year-old is in line to feature in the second Test of the Ashes series against Australia in place of James Anderson, who has been ruled out with a calf injury.

Archer got through 19 overs on the second day of their game against Gloucestershire at Blackstone Academy Club — although he had to be content with just one wicket.

Having taken six wickets in Gloucestershire’s first innings, Archer was expensive second time around — conceding 12 runs from his opening over.

Nothing like a day in the dirt 🙄

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) August 7, 2019

Although he was hit for six by Gregory Willows, the bowler’s pace was soon in evidence as he unleashed a delivery that struck Willows on the hip — as well as hitting Matt Brewer on the helmet later in the innings.

Archer eventually picked up a wicket in his 11th over, having George Drissell caught at gully and finishing with figures of 1-78 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 279, leaving Sussex to chase a modest target of 37 for victory.

Slightly hairy moment when Jofra missed a sharp caught and bowled and stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes. But he’s back up now

— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 7, 2019

Elsewhere, Warwickshire seamer Olly Stone will miss the next two Tests at least after becoming the latest injury casualty of England’s Ashes campaign.

Stone, 25, will spend the next two weeks on the sidelines after suffering an injury to his left lower back during training at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

The right-armer was included in England’s 14-man squad ahead of the series opener but was not picked for the clash, which England lost by 251 runs.

Jofra Archer misses a difficult caught and bowled chance. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Stone, who played in the recent Test win over Ireland, was firmly in the running to play at Lord’s in the second Ashes Test after veteran seamer James Anderson suffered a recurrence of a calf injury and was only able to bowl four overs in the first Test defeat.

While Anderson has not given up hope of returning later on in the series, his absence opened the door for either Stone, Sam Curran or Jofra Archer to come into the side.

But with Stone out of action, Archer still attempting to prove his fitness and Mark Wood ruled out of the series, the options left to England’s selectors have slimmed dramatically.

“It’s really disappointing for Olly that he’s been ruled out of action for such an important two weeks of cricket because of a recurrence of his back injury,” said Paul Farbrace, Sport Director at Warwickshire.

“At the moment there’s a bit of inflammation but he will undergo a scan later this afternoon so that we know the full course of treatment that he can undertake with the club’s medical team and with the support of the ECB. In the meantime, he needs to rest up before he can get his body strong again and ready to deal with the demands of being a fast bowler.”

England's James Anderson walks from the field. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP)

Anderson is not “giving up” on an Ashes return this series despite sustaining an injury in the first Test.

The 37-year-old bowled only four overs at Edgbaston before a calf injury forced him off the field, limiting him to two brief appearances as a batsman.

Anderson said he “felt very guilty” and apologised to his teammates, as revealed during the Test by new-ball partner Stuart Broad.

“The thought of more time away from the game is driving me nuts,” Anderson told The Sun. “I haven’t thought about giving up. My body feels great everywhere else, I’m as fit as I’ve ever been.”

“It’s hard to say when I might play again but it won’t be for a while,” he added. “My focus now is to get better and try everything possible to play a role later in the series. I’m sure there will come a point where other bowlers either get injured or need a rest.

“I certainly have no intention of giving up. If I don’t play against Australia, then the winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa are the next target.”

This article was originally published by Sky Sports and reproduced with permission