The fiery English pacer, Jofra Archer was excluded from the playing XI in the fourth and the final Test against India due to a persisting elbow injury and some of the squad members including Ben Stokes also have an upset stomach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday. Archer had missed the second Test in Chennai due to the same issue.
In a statement regarding the same, ECB said, “Jofra Archer is not playing in this Test match due to his ongoing right elbow issue. The ECB medical team will provide an update in due course. Ben Stokes has had an upset stomach, the same issue that has affected other members of the touring party. It is not expected to keep him off the field.”
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Archer returned made a comeback to play the third Test in which he picked up a wicket. Stokes played a fine knock of 55 on Day One of the final Test. The veteran fast bowler, James Anderson is the only frontline bowler in the playing XI. England have conceded a 1-2 lead in the four-match series and are out contention for a place in the World Test Championship final.
In the final Test, England had won the toss and opted to bat, attempting to follow the model in their victory in the first Test in Chennai. But Dom Sibley was sent back to the pavilion by Axar Patel in the bowler’s very first over when once again, bringing back the ghosts of the Pink-ball Test, he played for the spin while the bowl went on straight to break the stumps.
Zak Crawley was dismissed soon after attempting to smash a six off Axar and going for a lofted shot but mistimed it to be caught at long-on by Siraj. Eventually, the visitors were bundled out for 205.
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Vaughan, along with several other former England greats, had previously been critical about the pitch that was on offer for the third Test between India and England at the newly-renovated Narendra Modi stadium. The match ended inside 2 days with India winning by 10 wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
