England have dropped Jofra Archer from their squad for the second Test against West Indies that begins at Old Trafford on Thursday (July 16). The announcement has been made just hours before the commencement of the Test following Archer’s breach of the team’s bio secure protocols.
Archer will now be in isolation for a period of five days during which he will be undergoing two COVID-19 tests. If he is tested negative on both occasions, the self isolation period will be lifted.
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“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer said. “I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.
“It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry.”
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Archer went wicketless in the first innings and fetched three in the second innings of the Southampton Test that England lost by a narrow margin. With the home side resting James Anderson and Mark Wood for the the crucial second Test, the 25-year-old was in contention to feature in the XI again.
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