England pacer Jofra Archer has been excluded from the second Test against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford after breaching bio-secure protocols, the ECB have confirmed.

The second Test was scheduled to begin in Manchester on Thursday at 1100 GMT, but the ECB released a statement three hours prior to the scheduled start time saying Archer will no longer play a part in the match due to a “breach of the team’s bio-secure protocols.”

“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer said in the statement. “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.

“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.”

The statement further added that Archer will now undergo five days of isolation, during which he’ll take two Covid-19 tests. Both tests have to return negative for his isolation period to be lifted.

The statement added that West Indies were “made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed.”

Archer was in line to be part of the England pace attack in the second Test after being included the 13-man squad for the match, alongside Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson and Sam Curran, the latter duo being drafted into the squad after Jimmy Anderson and Mark Wood were rested.

England eventually opted to go into the Test with a seam attack consisting of Broad, Woakes and Curran.

This article was brought to you by royalbet.com – Online Casino site & betting offers