Jofra Archer’s highs and lows after fresh setback

Low – Missed the last three Tests of the 2019-20 tour of South Africa through injury. Invited to prove himself with a fiery spell in the nets ahead of the final Test in Johannesburg, but only succeeded in exacerbating his problems and was later diagnosed with a stress fracture of the right elbow.

Low – Dropped from the second Test of the summer against the West Indies after breaching bio-security protocols with an unauthorised trip home during the first series back following the coronavirus outbreak. Director of cricket Ashley Giles warned his actions could have compromised the tour and cost the ECB “tens of millions of pounds”.

High – Offered a timely reminder of his class by being named as MVP of the Indian Premier League in November 2020, starring for Rajasthan Royals and confirming his status as world-class T20 bowler.

𝗠𝗩𝗣 💗

Did it in 14 games. 😎🔥#HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | #IPL2020 | @JofraArcher pic.twitter.com/GsyjfUZWCN

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 10, 2020

Low – After more injury problems, his first-class comeback for Sussex in May 2021 ended in confusing fashion as he took the field on day three only to declare himself unfit to bowl when asked by captain Ben Brown. Two bouts of surgery on his elbow and a stress fracture of the back followed, forcing his longest lay-off yet including two T20 World Cups and an Ashes tour Down Under.

High – After working with England Lions at a winter training camp, Archer made his long-awaited international comeback in the white-ball tour of South Africa in 2023. His second match back brought career-best ODI figures of six for 40 against the Proteas, and confirmation that he still had the pace and menace to succeed at the highest level.

Low – Handed a lucrative IPL contract by Mumbai Indians but managed just five games in the 2023 edition before flying home injured. Ruled out for the entire international summer of 2023 with news of another stress fracture in his right elbow.

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