Lessons to be learned after Jofra Archer bursts England’s bubble

Archer’s transgression could have cost far more than his place in the team, writes Vithushan Ehantharajah

Jofra Archer has been excluded from the second Test (PA)

A sports star reprimanded for returning home. Is there a more vivid sign of the times? English cricket could have been saved from a great deal of strife had Ben Stokes or Alex Hales made that decision in Bristol three years ago. But in the middle of a pandemic, it was a move that almost brought the establishment to its knees.

There was an innocence to Jofra Archer’s return to his flat in Hove after leaving The Ageas Bowl on the way to Emirates Old Trafford, even if it was out of wilful ignorance. That was encapsulated by the manner in which the unsanctioned detour came to light: coming up in casual conversation with a member of staff who was duty bound to alert senior management of the situation.

It was only an hour, he says, but an hour and a stop-off more than the England and Wales Cricket Board had mapped out for their players on the 230-mile trip. One that direct of men’s cricket Ashley Giles says could have cost the ECB “tens of millions”. Had he picked up something and failed his Covid-19 test, or passed it to someone within the internal bubble, this series would have certainly been called to a halt. Who knows what would have become of the summer.

If that sounds like an overreaction, consider the nature of the talks that went in to getting West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and, hopefully, Australia to visit a country with a coronavirus death toll over 45,000. Assurances were made about safety and a bio-secure environment that was far more secure the world around it. At a cost, too. Millions have gone into this project as a way to chase the losses that would be around £380m in a cricket-less summer. All of that was on the line when Archer stopped by.

He came into contact with one other person, he says, and that person was subject to a test on Wednesday evening itself. ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce helped orchestrate the test, which could have been a logistical nightmare. A welcome negative result arrived on Thursday, while Archer was confined to his room for five days of isolation, with two tests to come and two negatives needed before he is allowed to return to the wider group.

He will do so needing a good deal of contrition. His standing remains high among the squad and coaches, who appreciate the return was done with no malice even if it was in direct contravention of what were clear guidelines. An apology has already been forthcoming by way of a statement on Wednesday morning, but Archer is expected to add to it behind closed doors. There may be a sanction coming that could see him miss the third Test – also at Emirates Old Trafford – along with this one he must sit out in his own room.

But the wider hope is that a lesson has been learned. Not just by Archer.