London: In a major blow for England cricket team ahead of the much-awaited Ashes series, star pace duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have been ruled out from the first Test due to injury.
England Cricket Board on Wednesday announced their squad for their Ireland tour and revealed that Wood and Archer will not take part in the upcoming tournament as they are undergoing treatment for side strains.
While ECB has given Archer, who has a left side strain, permission to take some time away to recover mentally and physically from the World Cup. Wood would be out of action for four to six weeks as he was diagnosed with a side injury.
Ashes: Jofra Archer and Mark Wood ruled out of first Test due to injury
ECB do not expect Archer to back until second Test match against Australia, which will be played at Lord’s, starting on Aug 14.
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And if reports are to be believed then, ECB do not expect Archer to back until second Test match against Australia, which will be played at Lord’s, starting on Aug 14.
Meanwhile, England's biggest positive from this World Cup, Jason Roy is expected to make his Test debut next week against Ireland. He is expected to open the batting alongside his Surrey colleague Rory Burns.
Speaking about Roy's exclusion in Test squad, England's selector Ed Smith said, “It’s no great secret the selectors have long been admirers of Jason. The big question with Jason Roy was when was the ideal time if he was going to make the move into Test cricket?” before adding, “Joe Root and I spoke at length months ago about the scenario in which Jason Roy finished the World Cup confident, full of runs and went straight into the Ashes and that’s what we’ve done. It feels like a really good time for Jason to join the Test team as an opener."