Jofra Archer Cleared To Play Third Test Against The West Indies; Fined For Breaching Bio-Security Protocols

England speedster Jofra Archer will remain in contention to play the third Test against the West Indies, which will also take place in Manchester. Jofra Archer faced an axe from the ongoing second match between the two sides at the Old Trafford after breaking the bio-security rules imposed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

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It emerged that Archer made an unauthorized visit to his home in Brighton after leaving Southampton, where the first Test was held. It broke as a massive controversy as the 25-year old paceman could have cost England a million pounds of losses, according to managing director of England men’s cricket, Ashley Giles.

However, a disciplinary hearing was staged, chaired by Giles, imposing a heavy fine of £15,000, which was the value of the match fee for the second Test. Apart from that, an official written warning was also issued. Archer’s agent, Tom Harwood, who is also one of the representatives of Professional Cricketers’ Association and John Carr, the director of England Cricket Operations at the ECB attended the hearing.

The Barbadian has undergone one COVID-19 test since the details of his breaching came to light, which was negative. He has to test negative one more time following the examination on Monday and only then he would be allowed to join the squad on Tuesday.

Jofra Archer took two wickets in the first Test:

The Barbadian played the first Test in Southampton agaisnt the West Indies, which was also his first since the opening match on the tour of South Africa earlier this year. Following his outstanding debut last summer, he was picked ahead of veteran Stuart Broad. However, he could not make the desired impression.

The right-arm speedster took two wickets in the second innings of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamrah Brooks; however, it was not enough to prevent a four-wicket loss. He went wicketless in the first innings.

For the must-win second Test, the hosts overhauled their bowling attack, resting James Anderson and Mark Wood while dropping Archer. Instead, they opted for Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, and Stuart Broad.

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