Jofra Archer ruled out of England Test after breaking coronavirus regulations

Pace bowler apologises after being forced into isolation for five days

Jofra Archer celebrates trapping West Indies' Shamarh Brooks LBW on the fifth day of the first Test between England and the West Indies. Archer was ruled out of the second Test and sent into self-isolation on July 16 for breaking "bio-secure protocols" aimed at stopping coronavirus infections. AFP

England's Jofra Archer. Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer catches the ball to take the wicket of West Indies' Jason Holder in the first Test. AFP

ofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer of England during an England nets session. Getty

Jermaine Blackwood ducks a bouncer from England's Jofra Archer. Reuters

West Indies' Shane Dowrich, right, leaps in the air in an attempt to play a ball from England's Jofra Archer. AP

England's Jofra Archer celebrates taking the wicket of West Indies' Shamarh Brooks with team-mate Ben Stokes during day five of the Test Series at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. PA

Jofra Archer celebrates dismissing Shamarh Brooks. Getty

England's Jofra Archer (left) and Chris Woakes celebrate winning the ICC World Cup Final at Lord's last year. PA

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.