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Archer to miss start of IPL: ECB

Last updated on: March 21, 2021 17:09 IST

'Jofra's situation has definitely got worse. So it does need attention'

Jofra Archer

IMAGE: Eoin Morgan with Jofra Archer. Photograph: BCCI

Star England pacer Jofra Archer will miss the beginning part of this year's Indian Premier League, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday.

Archer, a Rajasthan Royals player, was on Sunday omitted from a 14-member England squad for the three-match ODI series against India starting in Pune on Tuesday due to a worsening elbow injury.

The ECB said the 25-year-old pacer is returning home for further management and investigation of his right elbow injury.

"The ECB medical team will assess the player and, together with Jofra, develop a treatment plan and a return-to-play schedule in due course. As a consequence, Jofra will miss the start of this year's Indian Premier League," it said in a statement.

"Archer's elbow issue has deteriorated over the course of the T20 International series and made it increasingly challenging for him to maintain performance levels."

England captain Eoin Morgan on Saturday revealed that Archer was likely to pull out of the upcoming IPL starting on April 9 as the star pacer's elbow injury has worsened.

Having missed the final Test because of his troublesome elbow, Archer returned in the T20I series, claiming seven wickets, which included a career-best 4/33 in the fourth game.

Archer wants to be there at T20 WC and Ashes, he made sensible decision: Silverwood

England head coach Chris Silverwood said that is pleasing to see pacer Jofra Archer keeping the national side ahead and leave for the UK in order to get himself fit.

Silverwood's remark came as Archer was deemed unfit for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India. The pacer has also been ruled out from the initial phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

"It was a joint decision and he put England first basically. He needs to get this right and he needs some time to do that. It is about we give him the best chance to be successful for England and all parties agreed on that front. Jofra was very keen on that as well. He wants to be there at the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, it was not a difficult decision, it was a sensible decision," Silverwood told UK Media in a virtual press conference on Sunday.

"It is very satisfying, it shows how passionate Jofra is for playing for England and how much he enjoys playing for England. We respect that, we enjoy having him around, whatever we can do to help, we will," he added.

Archer is returning to the UK for further management and investigation of his right elbow injury. Archer's elbow issue has deteriorated over the course of the five-match T20I series and made it increasingly challenging for him to maintain performance levels.

The ECB medical team will now assess the player and, together with Jofra, develop a treatment plan and a return-to-play schedule in due course. As a consequence, Jofra will miss the start of this year's IPL.

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