The England Cricket Board (ECB) has fined and officially warned pacer Jofra Archer for breaching the bio-secure guidelines that were put in place for the safe and smooth conduct of the ongoing three-match Test series against West Indies. ECB hasn’t disclosed the amount of the fine.
Archer, one of the three pacers in the playing XI in the opening Test, visited his home on his way to Manchester. The ECB had allowed its players to reach the venue of the second Test by their own cars. As per a report in The Sun, he paid a visit to his residence to see his dog.
As a result, ECB dropped him from the squad just a few hours before the start of the second Test match. Given that Joe Root had rested Mark Wood and James Anderson, Archer was confirmed to retain his place in the playing XI.
Archer was quick to issue an apology and had said: “I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer had 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.”
He was slammed by the likes of Michael Holding, Nasser Hussain and other experts for his actions. Holding, the West Indies legend, also slammed ECB and questioned the board for allowing its players to travel on their own.
Archer is currently in isolation for five days. He will be allowed to rejoin the squad on July 21. However, he will only be back if he tests negative for COVID-19 twice.
England are playing with Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran in the third Test. Vice-captain Ben Stokes is one of the three all-rounders in the playing XI.
