LONDON: England’s Jofra Archer was ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies and sent into five days of isolation on Thursday for breaking “bio-secure protocols” aimed at stopping coronavirus infections, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.
Both teams have been living in secure “bubble” sites at the Ageas Bowl, the venue for last week’s first Test, and Emirates Old Trafford where the final two matches of the series will take place, in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The fast bowler apologised for putting his teammates in “danger”, although the nature of the breach was not disclosed. His removal from the squad was announced just three hours before Thursday’s scheduled 1000 GMT start in Manchester.
“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer, who played in last week’s first Test, said in an ECB 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.”
“The West Indies team have been made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed,” the ECB statement.
It is understood Archer’s breach of the rules took place sometime after Sunday’s end of the first Test at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and before the squad arrived at Old Trafford.
