England paceman Archer out and Stokes fitness doubt in latest England Ashes scare as Squad announced

England Test captain Ben Stokes is still unable to bowl and is only "batting cover", his coach at IPL side Chennai Super Kings says, in a fresh injury scare weeks before the Ashes.

Stokes has played only two matches after being bought by Chennai for $1.96 million at the start of this season in early April, before being benched with a toe injury.

The 31-year-old all-rounder was troubled by his left knee before the IPL.

On April 21, Chennai coach Stephen Fleming said that Stokes had suffered "another little setback", without giving details.

On Sunday Fleming said that Stokes was still unable to bowl and reports suggest the player will return to Britain after Chennai's final group game at the weekend, even though the team looks set for the next round.

"Ben's ability to bowl overs at the moment is still a bit of a challenge, but he's there as that batting cover," Fleming said.

"But with Moeen (Ali) bowling well in good conditions -- we go to Delhi (next), which has been turning -- we think the balance of the side has been right."

The former New Zealand captain added: "And look, we're second on the table, so it's not our style to chop and change just because we've had a loss where things didn't go our way."

It is the latest blow to England's Ashes plans after fast bowler Jofra Archer pulled out of the IPL with injury last week.

There are also concerns over James Anderson.

England host Ireland for a one-off Test starting June 1 ahead of the crunch Australia series, which begins in Birmingham on June 16.

 

England paceman Archer out of Ashes with elbow injury                                          

Fast bowler Jofra Archer was Tuesday ruled out of the Ashes with a stress fracture to his right elbow as England announced their Test squad to face Ireland next month.

The 28-year-old Sussex quick, who was recently in action in the Indian Premier League, will not play again "for the rest of the summer", the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

"Recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow," the ECB said.

England play Ireland in a one-off Test starting at Lord's on June 1, which will be their final preparation for the Ashes series against Australia, beginning later in the month.

Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow is back with England for the first time since last August after recovering from breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle during a round of golf.

Bairstow, whose return comes at the expense of fellow wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, smashed six centuries last year before suffering his freak injury.

James Anderson, 40, the most successful fast bowler in Test history with 685 wickets, was named in the 15-man squad despite suffering a groin injury while playing for Lancashire last week.

Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns while Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back after taking a break from the tour of New Zealand. 

Surrey batsman Ollie Pope has been officially confirmed as England's vice-captain with immediate effect.

- Archer injuries -

Paceman Archer, who has not played a Test since February 2021, has been dogged by elbow and back injuries in recent years -- he has only played 13 Tests in total.

ECB managing director for England men's cricket Rob Key said it had been a frustrating and upsetting period for Archer, whom he described as "probably the most exciting bowler in world cricket".

"He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously," he said. 

"I'm hoping that at some point Jofra (has) a bit of luck to be honest. The poor lad was pretty distraught about what's happened. 

"You just hope that that luck turns for him at some point as I'm sure it will."

Key said it was too soon to rule the bowler out of the 50-over World Cup, which takes place in India later this year, with England defending their title.

"Fingers crossed that he is (ready)," he said. "I can't tell you now. I don't think anyone can tell you now. It's a pretty unique situation this, I think. It baffles quite a few people."

Key said Anderson had a "pretty mild groin strain" and the veteran seamer was not concerned ahead of England's programme of international matches.

Key said it had been a "seriously tough decision" to leave Foakes out of the squad to accommodate the returning Bairstow, who will take the gloves.

Foakes has been a regular for England during their impressive run of 10 wins from their past 12 Tests under the captaincy of Stokes.

"He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about," Key said.

England begin their quest to wrest the Ashes back at Edgbaston on June 16, with matches to follow at Lord's, Headingley, Old Trafford and the Oval.

 

England squad

Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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