Jofra Archer ruled out of West Indies tour due to setback in rehab from elbow injury

Jofra Archer faced a setback in his rehabilitation from a stress fracture as he experienced elbow pain during training with the England cricket team at the World Cup in Mumbai. This setback has ruled him out of England’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean next month. Archer has been out of competitive play since the IPL, where he suffered a recurrence of an elbow stress fracture.

Despite initial hopes of his inclusion in the World Cup squad, medical reports suggested he should travel as a reserve. After joining the squad in Mumbai, Archer’s elbow issues resurfaced, leading to his return home. This development occurred as Reece Topley got ruled out, but England opted for Brydon Carse over their travelling reserve.

“Originally, the thought was that he was going to be alright for the back end of the competition,” Rob Key, England’s managing director, said on Sunday after England’s league-stage elimination was confirmed.

Jofra adds so much to the team: Rob Key

Jofra Archer faced another setback in his rehabilitation, experiencing elbow pain during training in Mumbai. Despite clear scans, the risk of further injury led England to send him back home, opting for Brydon Carse as a replacement. The decision considered the long-term impact on Archer’s career and his significant contributions to future tournaments, including the Ashes and T20 World Cup. The focus shifted to prioritizing Archer’s fitness over short-term gains.

“It was a risk worth taking. He had his scans, and they all came up clear. We’re desperate for Jofra. We take that bet with him that we want him back fit and able to play for England, because of the upside. He flies over here, comes out to Mumbai, bowls, and actually then he felt pain in his elbow. So then, the view was, ‘Right, this is going to be a risk too far’. Because of the upside, that’s what lures you in. You start looking at things like the Ashes in two years, the T20 World Cup… Jofra adds so much to that. You don’t want to risk rushing something to see that kibosh for the rest of his career. So, we then said, ‘Right, fine, this isn’t the right way to go. Rather than just keep him hanging around and not really doing anything, let’s send him back home and get in Brydon Carse who had been preparing.'” he said.

Jofra Archer’s exclusion from England’s ODI and T20I squads against West Indies in December marks another setback in his return. The decision reflects a cautious approach, with the team preferring to assess Archer’s fitness before including him in future squads. Despite only playing seven games for England since March 2021, Archer signed a two-year central contract, declining a third year. The emphasis is on avoiding rushing his comeback and ensuring a careful and gradual return to competitive cricket.