Archer’s home discomforts

Manchester, July 16

England dropped fast bowler Jofra Archer for the second Test against West Indies following a breach of the

team’s bio-secure protocols, announcing the decision hours before the start of the match at Old Trafford on Thursday. “Archer will now 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 England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

The ECB did not specify the nature of the breach in the statement but media reports said Archer exited the bio-secure bubble to visit his flat in Brighton between the series opener in Southampton and the second match in Manchester. “I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” said Archer, who was part of the team that lost the series opener. “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.”

Captain Joe Root was not keen to deliberate on Archer’s shock late exclusion. “Enough’s been said (on the Archer situation),” Root said at the toss.

Holding rips into Archer

West Indies great Michael Holding didn’t hold himself back as he slammed Archer. Citing the example of Nelson Mandela, Holding ripped into Archer, stating sacrifices should be made for the larger good. “I have no sympathy at all. I don’t understand why people can’t just do what is required. Talking about sacrifices — Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a little cell and he did nothing wrong. That is a sacrifice,” Holding said.

“I just want to ask a few questions of the ECB and these protocols, though,” Holding added. “Why aren’t the England team travelling on a bus? If they have already passed the Covid test and everyone is together, they have six matches and are moving from one venue to another, why aren’t they just all on a bus? Why are they allowed to travel by car? People need to just think a bit.” — Agencies