Star bowler Jofra Archer is out of the final two Ashes tests for England

By Canadian Press on December 23, 2025.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — England bowler Jofra Archer will not play in the remaining two Ashes tests due to a left side strain, a team official said Wednesday.

The fourth test begins Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the fifth on Jan. 3 in Sydney. Australia has a winning 3-0 lead in the five-test series and has retained the Ashes.

The 30-year-old Archer spent four years battling a variety of fitness issues, including stress fractures of the back and right elbow, but has been in strong form since making a long-awaited red-ball return against India.

He joined the squad at training on Wednesday at the MCG, but played no part in practice and a spokesperson later confirmed he was out for the remainder of the tour.

He had bowled a total of 80 overs in the games at Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, taking nine wickets at 27.11 and maintaining the lowest strike-rate among England bowlers.

In the third test at Adelaide, he took five for 53 in the first innings and scored 51 runs.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Associated Press