The ECB’s plan to take control of Jofra Archer’s rehab from a long-term elbow injury hit a snag this week when it was discovered he played for his old school team in Barbados without England’s knowledge. Archer recently got a two-year contract despite only playing seven white-ball matches for England, as he’s been dealing with a fractured right elbow and a stress fracture of the back since March 2021. This contract came as a gesture of faith in him, but also as a measure to oversee his recovery away from T20 franchise matches. The managing director, Rob Key, explained that Archer was withdrawn from next week’s IPL auction for this specific reason, however, Key was caught off guard when he found out about Archer’s recent match in Barbados. Despite hoping to have Archer back in the team for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June and July, England is now taking a slow approach to his return, unwilling to put any deadlines on him and willing to take extra time if it means extending his career.
