Archer out of 2nd Test for breaking COVID-19 protocol, apologises for breach

MANCHESTER, July 16: England pacer Jofra Archer was on Thursday dropped from the second Test against the West Indies for breaking the team�s bio-secure protocol and will now undergo two COVID-19 tests during a five-day isolation period.

Archer apologised for the lapse, which wasn�t specified in the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement but �BBC Test Match Special� said that the speedster had visited his home in Brighton after the first Test.

The series is being played amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the first Test in Southampton passed off without any incident.

�Jofra Archer has been excluded from the #raisethebat second Test against the West Indies starting today (Thursday 16 July) at Emirates Old Trafford following a breach of the team�s bio-secure protocols,� ECB said in a statement.

�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,� it further stated.

The flamboyant bowler offered an apology and acknowledged the enormity of his indiscretion at a sensitive time.

�I am extremely sorry for what I have done,� he stated.

�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,� he added.

The BBC TMS twitter handle posted: �Confirmation from ECB that Jofra Archer went home to Brighton between matches on Monday which breached the bio-secure environment.�

Archer conceded that he let down the England team which needed him desperately as it is 0-1 down in the series.

�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,� he said.

The ECB, in its statement, said the West Indies team is aware of the latest developments and is satisfied with the steps taken. � PTI