England’s Ashes tour has hit a new low with series player of the match Jofra Archer missing the remaining two Tests due to injury.
Archer has been diagnosed with a left flank muscle strain and will not play in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the New Year’s Match in Sydney, the latest in a long line of injuries for the seamer.
The 30-year-old has battled various fitness issues over the past four years, including stress fractures in his back and right elbow, but has been in excellent form since making his long-awaited red-ball return against India in the summer.
In the third Test, he led 5 for 53 in the first innings and scored 51 runs, emerging as a shining light in an increasingly dreadful tour, but succumbed again after playing each of the first three Tests against Australia.
He joined the team for practice at the MCG on Christmas Eve, but did not practice, and a spokesperson later confirmed he would miss the remainder of the trip.
Jacob Bethell moves into third place in place of struggling Ollie Pope
Gus Atkinson replaces England international Archer in the squad at Friday’s MCG and is tasked with restoring some pride, while Ollie Pope has finally run out of spots at number three as Jacob Bethell is nominated for what will be the biggest game of his career.
Pope had been under pressure for a year, averaging 17 innings in 16 Ashes innings, and lost his vice-captainship just before traveling to Australia. He now faces a long road back to county cricket and his return after 64 Tests.
England squad for the 4th Ashes Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Kearse, Josh Tan.
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
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