Jofra Archer ‘expected to miss all of England’s Test summer but could feature in The Hundred’

It is likely that Jofra Archer will miss England’s entire Test fixture list this summer, according to reports.

An injury to his right elbow – that has required two sets of surgery – has meant that Archer has played just six of England’s 26 Test matches since the start of 2020 and he has not represented his country in any format since the T20 series in India last March.

The 2019 World Cup bowling hero trained with England during their T20 tour of the West Indies in January as he took the next step in his recovery.

Jofra Archer has not represented England in any format since the T20 series in India last March

According to The Telegraph, Archer’s return to action is being plotted but it does not include England’s seven Test matches this summer – three-match series against New Zealand and South Africa and the postponed final Test of their five-match series against India.

However, he will reportedly feature for Southern Brave in The Hundred, having missed the entirety of last year’s inaugural competition.

The report adds that an England return is most likely to come in the T20 match against India in Southampton at the start of July.

The fast bowler trained with England during their T20 tour of the West Indies in January

The 26-year-old has been tipped to feature for Southern Brave in The Hundred this year

It would certainly seem wise for Archer to err on the side caution and begin playing in shorter formats rather than dive straight back into Test cricket.

The 26-year-old played once for Sussex in the County Championship last summer but aggravated his elbow problem during the game which led to his second operation.

England severely missed Archer’s fast bowling in the humiliating 4-0 Ashes defeat. With Olly Stone’s Test future in doubt, they may have to rely on Mark Wood and the uncapped Saqib Mahmood for pace in attack this summer.

Speaking to Sportsmail last month, Archer admitted he does not feel the need to rush his return.

Mark Wood could be relied upon to provide England pace in attack in Archer’s Test absence

‘Right now, I can do everything but it’s small steps,’ he said. ‘I have no idea when I will be playing matches, I am just trying to build up and it’s all about what I can tolerate at any given time.

‘That’s all. I’ve had a few rehabs now and sometimes it can get to a level where you aggravate your hand, and you have to back off a little bit. Then, when you do come back a few days later, it’s able to handle some load through it.

‘I’ve waited long enough so it makes no sense rushing the last bit. I’ve got five months at my disposal, so it will be whenever I’m ready.’