England bowler Jofra Archer ruled out for rest of season as injury nightmare continues

Pacer suffers stress fracture to his back ending latest comeback attempt following two elbow operations

Jofra Archer has been sidelined for over a year by a persistent elbow problem that has required two operations. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering stress a fracture to his back in the latest injury blow to hit the England fast-bowler.

The 27-year-old was closing in on a return to action and hoping to play for his English county side Sussex in the Vitality Blast T20 competition this month.

But Archer, who has been sidelined for over a year by a persistent elbow problem that has required two operations, has sustained another injury that must put more question marks over his body's ability to cope with the rigours of international cricket.

“After being diagnosed with a stress fracture to the lower back, England and Sussex seamer Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the season,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

“No time frame has been set for his return. A management plan will be determined following further specialist opinion over the coming days.”

He is the third England bowler to be diagnosed with a stress fracture in the past week, with Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood and Yorkshire’s Matthew Fisher both receiving similar news.

England's Eoin Morgan and teammates celebrate after beating New Zealand to win the 2019 World Cup. Reuters

Jofra Archer, left, and Chris Woakes after England's triumph over New Zealand in the World Cup final at Lord's in July 2019. PA

Liam Plunkett holds the World Cup trophy aloft alongside captain Eoin Morgan. Getty

England's Jos Buttler, second left, celebrates with teammates after running out New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill to win the World Cup final on July 1, 2019. AP

England players celebrate after winning the Cricket World Cup final at Lord's. AP

England's Chris Woakes celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Henry Nicholls that was later overturned by DRS. Reuters

England fans during the World Cup final. Getty

Jason Roy of England celebrates with fans after victory. Getty

England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of New Zealand's Martin Guptill. Reuters

A screen at Lord's signals the game is going to a Super Over. Getty

A member of The Red Devils parachute display team before the match. Reuters

General view inside Lord's before the match. Early showers over London delayed the coin toss by 15 minutes. Reuters

The Cricket World Cup trophy. Reuters

England's Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali before the match. Reuters

England players celebrate after clinching victory. PA

England players celebrate. PA

England celebrate victory. PA

England players celebrate on the balcony at Lord's. PA

Jos Buttler of England celebrates running out Martin Guptill. Getty

Archer hasn't played international cricket since March 2021 or any competitive cricket since May of that year, when he underwent the first operation. The second surgery was in December, after which the Barbados-born paceman said he felt much more confident of a return to action.

He admitted earlier this month that he had feared he might not play again due to the injury but added that he “couldn’t have written my rehab comeback any better”.

“Now, I just need some game time to be able to put my trust in the elbow,” the 2019 World Cup winner added. “I’ve not trusted it supporting me for a long period, so it’s going to take a little bit of work to do so and bowl at full tilt.”

England return to action next month when world Test champions New Zealand begin a three-match tour at Lord's on June 2, followed by matches at Trent Bridge and Headingley.

The team will be led by new Test captain Ben Stokes and recently-appointed red-ball coach Brendon McCullum. England have won only one of their last 17 tests.