Jofra Archer’s IPL hopes hanging in balance after finger surgery

Fast bowler is set for two weeks of rehabilitation after an operation earlier this week

Jofra Archer’s IPL hopes remain in the balance

(Getty Images for ECB)

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is set for two weeks of rehabilitation after successful surgery to remove a piece of glass that had been lodged in the middle finger of his right hand.

Archer suffered the injury when the fish tank he was cleaning at home smashed in January and he underwent an operation on the problem on Monday.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: “England pace bowler Jofra Archer underwent successful surgery to his right hand on Monday. A fragment of glass was removed during the operation to his middle finger on his right hand.

“He will now commence two weeks of rehabilitation. The consultant will review him before returning to training.”

The injury was carefully managed by England during the tour of India, with Archer featuring in two of the four Tests and all five Twenty20s, but he was absent for the three one-day internationals that concluded the trip.

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The reason given for his absence in the ODI series was the deterioration in his troublesome right elbow, which has had a further injection and means he will at least miss the start of the forthcoming Indian Premier League.

His long-standing elbow troubles remain the primary concern in a T20 World Cup and Ashes year but his finger injury has been resolved.

The ECB statement added: “Further update on (Archer’s) elbow injury will be provided once he has returned to bowling to assess the effectiveness of his recent injection.

“Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in January shortly before flying to India to prepare for the Test series.

“The ECB’s medical team managed the injury throughout the tour, and it did not impact on his availability.”

PA