Skip to content

Jofra Archer unable to bowl in England nets ahead of second Test due to sore elbow

Watch the second Test live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am on Friday

CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 26: England bowler Jofra Archer towels down in the heat during Day One of the First Test match between England and South Africa at SuperSport Park on December 26, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa
Image: Jofra Archer has taken 30 wickets at 27.40 in his Test career to date

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is a doubt for the second Test against South Africa after he was unable to bowl during practice due to a sore right elbow.

Archer recovered from illness before the series to return 5-102 in the first Test at Centurion, which the tourists lost by 107 runs.

The 24-year-old was able to bat in the nets on Wednesday and also took part in fielding drills but has less than 48 hours to recover for the Newlands Test, which begins on Friday on Sky Sports Cricket.

Archer's injury knocked England back on the same morning of an illness-plagued tour on which all 19 players in the squad were able to train together for the first time.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward discuss England's recent problems on and off the pitch and Nasser picks his highlights of 2019

The selectors opted for an all-pace attack in the first Test but with Newlands, where South Africa have only lost once in 18 Tests, less seam-friendly the visitors were expected to bring in a specialist spinner.

That would mean leaving either James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran or Archer out to make room on a dry-looking pitch for one of spinning trio Jack Leach, Dominic Bess or Matt Parkinson.

Also See:

Watch the second Test between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am on Friday.

Around Sky