England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series after suffering a side strain, dealing another heavy blow to a touring side already staring at a series whitewash.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the news on Wednesday, while also announcing that batsman Ollie Pope has been dropped for the fourth Test against Australia, which begins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Archer has arguably been England’s standout bowler across the first three Tests, delivering 80 overs and taking nine wickets despite limited support from the rest of the attack. His absence further weakens an England bowling unit that is already without Mark Wood, who managed just 11 overs on the tour before a knee injury ended his Ashes involvement.
Gus Atkinson has been drafted in as Archer’s replacement and will lead the pace attack alongside Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse. Captain Ben Stokes will also provide seam options, while Will Jacks has been retained as the side’s lone spin bowler.
England head into the fourth Test trailing 3–0 in the series, with hopes of regaining some pride after a difficult campaign on Australian soil.
In the batting line-up, Pope has paid the price for a prolonged run of poor form at number three. Jacob Bethell comes into the side as the only other change to the XI.
Opener Ben Duckett, who was reportedly shown drunk in an unverified video circulating between the second and third Tests, has kept his place in the team.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue
