MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — England bowler Jofra Archer will not play in the remaining two Ashes Tests due to a left strain, team officials said Wednesday.
The fourth Test begins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday and the fifth Test begins in Sydney on January 3. Australia leads 3-0 in five Test matches to successfully defend the Ashes Cup.
advertise
The 30-year-old Archer has spent four years battling various health issues, including stress fractures in his back and right elbow, but has been in strong form since scoring a long-awaited red-ball against India.
He attended but did not train at the MCG on Wednesday and a spokesman later confirmed he would miss the remainder of the tour.
He bowled a total of 80 balls in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, taking nine wickets at 27.11 and maintaining the lowest strike rate among England bowlers.
In the third Test at Adelaide, he scored 51 runs for 5 for 53 in the first innings.
___
AP Cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket