England brace for update this week on fast bowler’s elbow injury
Archer returned home from England’s tour to India ahead of the ODI series in March due to the injury, which deteriorated over the course of the five-match T20I series and forced him to pull out of the IPL. He briefly returned in mid-May after a period of rest and rehabilitation, playing a second XI fixture and a County Championship match, but managed only 18 overs in the latter and had surgery on the advice on a specialist the following week.
He spent two months rehabbing under the supervision of Sussex and England medical staff and bowled nine overs – three in a T20 Blast fixture and six in a 50-over friendly against Oxfordshire – in mid-July, but has not joined up with Southern Brave during the Hundred. He will see a specialist later this week to determine the severity of the problem.
Archer was not included in England’s squad for the first two Tests and with the next round of County Championship fixtures not starting until August 30, there will be scant opportunity for him to play competitive red-ball cricket in time to be considered for the final three. His last international appearance was in the fifth T20I against India on March 20.
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98