Former England captain Nasser Hussain has slammed ace paceman Jofra Archer for breaching the Covid-19 protocols. A couple of hours before the second Test match, England and Wales Cricket announced that Archer has been dropped from the squad for breaching the protocols. Now, Archer will need to self isolate himself for five days, and then he would need to return two negative coronavirus tests before the isolation period can be lifted.
Hussain is not at all impressed by Archer’s actions and stated it is naive and silly on the bowler’s part. England board has confirmed that Archer stopped at his home in Hove when the team was traveling from Southampton to Old Trafford, which is contrary to the instructions from the management. In fact, it came to the board’s attention yesterday night soon after Archer was named in the second Test match squad.
Jofra Archer has made a mistake
Archer has apologized for his actions and admitted that he not only put his life in danger but the lives of his teammates at stake.
“It is naive and silly to get it wrong because of the effort that’s gone in, and the health risk – this is a serious illness and you cannot risk infecting anyone,” Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.
“We don’t know if it was just a naivety from Jofra or if it was something more serious. He has apologized, it is a very unusual situation that we all find ourselves in and he’s made a mistake,” he added.
The reason is still not known why Archer visited his home
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer had gone wicketless in the first innings of the first Test match at Ageas Bowl, Southampton. However, the gun pacer made a roaring comeback in the second innings as he scalped three wickets and bowled a fiery opening spell to put the West Indies on the backfoot.
With Mark Wood and James Anderson rested for the second Test, Archer was sure to play the final XI of the team. Archer was in fine form and there is no doubt that England is going to miss his services. However, Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have now got their opportunities as Stuart Broad has also made a comeback.
West Indies captain Jason Holder has won the toss and decided to field first.
England (Final XI): Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad
West Indies (Final XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel