Jofra Archer: Fast and injured

England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remainder of the season with a fresh injury. The ace pacer suffered a stress fracture on his lower back that will see him stay out of competitive cricket for another few months.

The back injury now comes as a setback to his return. Archer hasn't played for England or in a competitive game since 2021. He missed last year's T20 World Cup and the Ashes because of an elbow injury that required two surgery.

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Jofra Archer was on a comeback trail having trained with the England squad in Barbados earlier this year. He was slated to return to action for Sussex in their first game of the T20 Blast against Glamorgan on May 26.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the development, however, couldn't give a specific time frame for his return.

"After being diagnosed with a stress fracture to the lower back, England and Sussex seamer Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the season. No timeframe has been set for his return. A management plan will be determined following further specialist opinion over the coming days."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement on Tuesday

Jofra Archer and his ups and downs in international cricket

The 27-year-old fast bowler was fast-tracked into England's national team in 2019. After that, the Barbados-born cricketer took over the role of the leading pacer. He made telling contributions to Eoin Morgan and Co, helping them win the prestigious World Cup title at home.

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Jofra also proved his red-ball credentials with a superlative Test debut against Australia at Lord's that same year. Overall, Jofra Archer has played 13 Tests, picking up 42 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. Moreover, he has also featured in 17 ODIs and 12 T20Is for England.