England pacer Jofra Archer has undergone a second elbow operation that will keep him out of action until next summer.
Out of the highest level of cricket for nine months, Archer’s absence will now stretch to over a year as he has already been ruled out of England’s tour of the West Indies in January and March next year even though the prognosis isn’t clear yet after his surgery last Saturday.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that fast bowler Jofra Archer underwent a second operation on his injured right elbow on Saturday, December 11, in London,” the ECB said.
“The procedure addressed the long-standing stress fracture of his right elbow. A return to cricket will be determined in time, but Jofra will not be available for any of England’s remaining winter series,” the statement added.
Archer was not retained by his IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals, ahead of the upcoming mega auction next year and it remains to be seen if he can recover quickly enough in order to be fit to play any part in the 2022 edition of the competition.
Archer had earlier said he targeted returning for the West Indies tour, but given the circumstances, there’s a possibility that his return could well be delayed till England begin their domestic campaign in 2022.
