Jofra Archer, the England fast bowler, who was excluded from the second Test against West Indies for a bio-secure breach, took a detour home to Brighton on Monday, the ECB has confirmed.
Archer’s detour was in direct violation of the ECB’s bio-secure protocols in place for the ongoing three-Test series between against the West Indies, with the second and third Test to take place at the Emirates Old Trafford.
It is understood that Archer took the trip while the team was en route from the Ageas Bowl to Manchester on Monday, the day after England’s loss in the first Test. The distance between Southampton to Brighton is approximately 60 miles.
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The ECB released a statement three hours prior to the start of the second Test on Thursday, stating that Archer would not be available for selection 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.
JUST IN: Jofra Archer will miss the second Test v West Indies.#ENGvWIhttps://t.co/3jSsIJORgi
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 16, 2020
“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.”
Archer has to now undergo five days of isolation, during which he’ll have to be tested twice for Covid-19. The isolation period will be lifted only if both tests return negative.
