Jofra Archer Walks Off The Field With Hamstring Issue, Leaves England Sweating On Day 2 At Leeds

England were left much to worry about in the last hour on the second day of the third Ashes Test as Jofra Archer walked off the field due to a hamstring issue. The right-arm pacer was feeling the pain before the start of the over, which saw a decrease in his pace. After bowling four deliveries in th 43rd over, Archer walked off the field due to issues with his left hamstring.

As of now, there has been no official word from the team management or ECB and an update regarding him is expected to come out after the end of the day’s play. England would Archer to get fit for the third day’s play but if he misses the contest, it will be a big blow for the team.

Archer had taken a six-fer in the 1st innings, that saw Australia skittle for 179. In response, Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s pace attack with a fifer to bundle the hosts on a mere score of 67. Pat Cummins took three and was well completed by James Pattinson, who took two wickets.

Australia have batted 52 overs in their second innings and hold a lead of 268 runs. With the play of three days still left, they would like to put up anything above 450+ on the board.

England, who will fail to regain Ashes if they lose this Test, will have their fingers crossed going ahead. James Anderson is expected to make his comeback for the fourth Test but still, the team does not bench strength in case he and Archer are unavailable for the penultimate Test.

Olly Stone, who made his debut against Ireland, has been ruled out of the season. Same is the case with Mark Wood, who was expected to be fit for the later part of Ashes 2019.

Archer, who made his debut in the second Test at Lord’s, was overused as he bowled 44 overs. In the first innings of the ongoing Test at Leeds, he sent down 17.1 overs. England would be relived with a break of more than a week, before the next Test starts.