Jofra Archer Ashes Injury: England Pacer Ruled Out of Final Two Tests
England fast bowler Jofra Archer will miss the final two Ashes Tests after suffering a left side strain. Team officials confirmed the development on Wednesday, dealing another blow to England’s campaign in Australia.
The Jofra Archer Ashes injury comes at a difficult stage of the series. Australia already hold a 3–0 lead in the five-match contest and have retained the Ashes. England were hoping Archer’s pace and control could help them finish the tour on a stronger note.
Archer Out of Ashes After Jofra Archer Ashes Injury at Training
Archer joined the England squad for training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday. However, he did not bowl or take part in full practice sessions.
Later in the day, an England spokesperson confirmed that Archer is out of the remainder of the Ashes series. The fourth Test begins on Friday in Melbourne, followed by the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting January 4.
The Jofra Archer Ashes injury forced England to reshuffle their bowling plans ahead of the crucial matches.
Comeback Halted After Years of Injury Struggles
The setback is especially disappointing because Archer had only recently returned to red-ball cricket. The 30-year-old spent nearly four years battling serious fitness issues, including stress fractures in his back and long-term elbow problems.
Earlier this year, Archer made his long-awaited Test comeback during England’s series against India. He showed rhythm and sharpness, raising hopes of a sustained return to the longest format.
The Jofra Archer Ashes injury has once again interrupted that progress.
Strong Performances Before Archer Missed the Series
Despite England’s struggles, Archer delivered impressive performances in the matches he played. He featured in three Tests and bowled 80 overs across Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
He took nine wickets at an average of 27.11 and recorded the best strike rate among England’s bowlers. In the third Test at Adelaide, Archer produced his standout performance, claiming five wickets for 53 runs in the first innings.
He also contributed with the bat, scoring a valuable half-century and underlining his all-round value.
The Jofra Archer Ashes injury now means England will miss one of their most effective players for the remainder of the series.
England Make Changes for Melbourne Test
With Archer out of the Ashes, England have made changes to their playing XI. Gus Atkinson has replaced Archer in the squad for the fourth Test.
Jacob Bethell has also come into the side, replacing Ollie Pope at number three. Pope struggled throughout the series and failed to convert starts. Ben Duckett has retained his place despite modest returns with the bat.
Archer’s Absence Raises Fresh Concerns for England
The Jofra Archer Ashes injury once again highlights England’s ongoing concerns around fast-bowling depth and workload management. While Archer’s return earlier this year offered encouragement, questions remain over his long-term durability in Test cricket.
With only two matches remaining, England will now focus on finishing the series with pride, while Archer begins another recovery phase under close medical supervision.
