England’s Ashes tour plummeted to a new low after player of the series Jofra Archer was ruled out of the remaining two Tests due to injury.
Archer will not play in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the New Year’s Test in Sydney after being diagnosed with a left side sprain. It is the latest in a long line of injuries for the seamer.
The 30-year-old has spent four years battling various fitness issues, including stress fractures in his back and right elbow, but has been in his best form since making his long-awaited red-ball return against India last summer.
In the third Test, he took 5-53 and scored 51 runs in the first innings, emerging as a shining light in an increasingly dire tour, but succumbed again after losing each of the first three Tests against Australia.
He joined the squad for Christmas Eve training at the MCG but did not take part in any practice, with a spokesman later confirming he was out for the remainder of the trip.
Jacob Bethell took third, replacing the beleaguered Ollie Pope.
Gus Atkinson replaced Archer in the England squad tasked with saving pride at the MCG on Friday, while Ollie Pope finally moved out of third place as Jacob Bethell comfortably got the nod for what would be the biggest game of his career.
Pope has been under pressure all year, averaging 17 in 16 Ashes innings and losing the vice-captainship just before leaving for Australia. He now faces a return to county cricket and a long journey ahead after 64 Tests.
England squad taking part in fourth Ashes Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.
Ashes series 2025-26 in Australia
Australia took the lead for the fifth straight game, 3-0.
