Jofra Archer to miss India ODIs and start of IPL season, ECB confirms

Jofra Archer will miss England's ODI series in India and the early stages of the IPL season, the ECB have confirmed.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Archer's elbow injury has become a growing concern for the England management over the course of the tour to India, and will be investigated further by the ECB's medical team when he returns to the UK.

It is understood that Archer's IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals, remain optimistic about the possibility of him featuring for them this season but have accounted for him missing at least the first few matches of the league phase. The tournament starts on April 9.

"Jofra's elbow issue has deteriorated over the course of the T20I series and made it increasingly difficult for him to maintain performance levels," an ECB statement said. "He has been deemed unfit for selection for the ODI series that features matches on 23, 26 and 28 March.

"The ECB medical team will assess the player and, together with Jofra, develop a treatment plan and a return-to-play schedule in due course. As a consequence, Jofra will miss the start of this year's Indian Premier League."

England have named a 14-man squad for the ODI series, featuring nine of the squad that won the World Cup in 2019. Joe Root and Chris Woakes both flew home after the Test series and have not returned to India.

Chris Silverwood, England's head coach, said: "Joe's not with us - he's obviously a fine one-day player as we all know but it was a good opportunity to give him a break having been in the bubble for so long through the Test series.

"Woakesy isn't here because he's having a break. He's spending some time with his family. He's an outstanding contributor in ODI cricket and we know that. It's just with the schedule as it is, we have to find holes for people somewhere."

Matt Parkinson, the 24-year-old legspinner who won two caps in South Africa in February 2020, may be given an opportunity as the only player to have been with the England camp throughout their winter schedule in Sri Lanka and India, while his Lancashire team-mate Liam Livingstone is in line to make his ODI debut.

"I've got nothing but praise for Matt, the way that he's conducted himself, the way that's he's trained, and the way that he's got stuck in helping the lads as well," Silverwood said. "He's been an absolute delight to have on tour. He's been fantastic while he's been here."

Eoin Morgan hinted ahead of the T20I series that he would use the 50-over leg of the tour to look at fringe players, and Reece Topley, the tall left-arm seamer, is also among those likely to be handed a chance at some stage.

Root's absence leaves England needing to reshuffle their batting order, while Sam Billings will be given further opportunities to impress after making his maiden international hundred in their most recent ODI series, against Australia in September. Silverwood was due to meet Morgan on Sunday night to discuss plans for the series, but did not rule out the possibility that Ben Stokes would be promoted to bat at No. 3 in what will be his first ODI since the 2019 World Cup final.

Jake Ball, Chris Jordan and Dawid Malan will remain with the squad as reserves in case of injury or illness. England travelled to Pune from Ahmedabad on Sunday, ahead of the first ODI on Tuesday.

"We're defending world champions so we want to go and there and put a good show on," Silverwood said. "The World Cup is here again in 2023 so it's a great opportunity for us to see conditions and to play out here, and for players to get experience under their belt. "