England’s Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies following a breach in bio-secure protocols.
Archer will instead commence five days of isolation and will undergo two Covid-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted.
The West Indies team have been made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed.
“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” said Archer.
“I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.
“It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry.”
Archer’s omission means England will be without any of their front-line pace bowlers from the first Test when they face West Indies in the second Test on Thursday.
James Anderson and Mark Wood had already been rested, with Stuart Broad, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson vying to replace them.
The issue goes beyond team selection, though. The “lockdown series” has been arranged under a series of stringent guidelines designed to keep the participants clear of the risk of Covid-19.
The measures were essential to West Indies agreeing to tour. Without international cricket this summer, the English game could have faced an estimated loss of £280 million (Dh1.3bn).
England's players travelled from Southampton, where the first Test was played, to Manchester in separate cars.
It is understood that was when Archer breached protocol. Instead of travelling directly to Old Trafford, he went via his flat in Brighton.
The England and Wales Cricket Board are said to have reassured the tourists and the UK government that Archer’s movements outside the bio-secure bubble represent a low risk.
