Mumbai Indians and England fast bowler Jofra Archer has hit back at the reporter who posted a news article in the Independent by a PA staff that he had flown to Belgium to visit an elbow specialist in the middle of the ongoing IPL 2023.
Archer, made his debut for MI in this ongoing IPL 2023, after being picked by the franchise in IPL 2022 auction despite being out of action that year after undergoing elbow and back surgery. With Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out of IPL 2023, the onus of leading the inexperienced MI attack was on Archer.
But he broke down due to issues in his elbow, featuring in his side’s season-opener on April 2 but then missing their next four matches before returning to action on Saturday.
The PA news agency reported that: “Archer flew to Belgium to see his specialist during a near three-week absence for Mumbai, and according to the Daily Telegraph had minor surgery before going back to India.
Archer coming back into the fray at the weekend and bowling his full four-over allocation, reaching speeds of 90mph against Punjab Kings, suggests the issue is not another dramatic step back for him.”
He was rested for Tuesday’s fixture against Gujarat Titans but could come back into the reckoning when Mumbai take on Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
“It’s People Like You That Are The Problem”- Jofra Archer Slams News Agency And Reporter For Putting Out The Report Of His Surgery
The ECB had confirmed to ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday morning that Archer had been to see his specialist in Belgium “a few weeks ago”. Archer returned to international cricket earlier this year after an absence of nearly two years, owing to elbow and back injuries which both put his career in jeopardy.
However, he was not happy with the news of him flying to Belgium to consult the doctor who operated on his elbow and slammed the reporter and the agency for posting the news without his consent or permission.
He tweeted: “Putting out an article without knowing the facts & without my consent is crazy. Who ever the reporter is shame on you , an already worrying and troubling time for a player and you exploit it for your personal gain, it’s people like you that are the problem.”
Putting out an article without knowing the facts & without my consent is crazy.
Who ever the reporter is shame on you , an already worrying and troubling time for a player and you exploit it for your personal gain, it’s people like you that are the problem .
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) April 26, 2023
England’s medical team has been working closely with their counterparts at the franchise, with Archer still only a few months into his comeback following stress fractures to his elbow and then his back.