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Jofra Archer fined match fee for breaching bio-secure protocols during England vs West Indies Test series

The fast bowler admitted to the breach which took place on Monday 13 July to a disciplinary hearing

Vithushan Ehantharajah
Old Trafford
Saturday 18 July 2020 13:36 BST
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Jofra Archer 'extremely sorry' after being excluded by England

Jofra Archer has been fined the equivalent of a match fee (between £12,500 and £15,000) and received an official warning for breaking bio-secure protocols during the ongoing Test series with England and West Indies. He will be available for selection for the third Test pending two Covid-19 tests.

The fast bowler, who has played eight Tests for England, admitted to the breach, which took place on Monday 13 July, in a disciplinary hearing chaired by the managing director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles, with Archer’s agent and a representative from the Professional Cricketers’ Association also present. That this is his first indiscretion counted in his favour, as was the feeling that Archer's misstep was foolish rather than malicious. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes.

The 25-year old stopped at his flat in Hove between leaving the Ageas Bowl after the culmination of the first Test and arriving into the bubble at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, ahead of the second. In doing so, he came in contact with one person who the ECB were able to test for Covid-19 on Wednesday night, when the news came to light. Their results were, thankfully, negative.

Archer was subsequently withdrawn from England’s second Test squad against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford and is currently undergoing five days of isolation at the venue. He will need to take two Covid-19 tests - one on Saturday and the other on Monday - and must pass both in order to return to the training group on Tuesday. He would then be eligible for selection for the third Test, which begins on Friday (24 July).

He is said to be in good spirits and has been in contact with his teammates via WhastApp voice notes and playing Call of Duty online with some of them. His room has a balcony overlooking the playing area and he came out for a period of time on Friday (day two) to watch England put on 469 for nine declared in their first innings.

There is a chance he may be able to do some form of exercise outside of his room at the end of each day once the playing area has been emptied, provided the England and venue management can work out a way to do so while adhering to strict social distancing. That is to be decided in the next day or so.

In a statement released on the morning of day one of the second Test, Archer said: “I am extremely sorry for what I have done. 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.”

Archer will also receive no stipend from the second Test match. All players onsite receive which increases if part of the 13-player squad, and includes a match fee when part of the playing 11.

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