England’s fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the Ashes due to a stress fracture in his right elbow, according to the announcement of England’s Test squad to play against Ireland next month. The 28-year-old, who recently played for the Indian Premier League, will be unable to play again for the remainder of the summer, stated the England and Wales Cricket Board. England is scheduled to play a four-day Test match against Ireland beginning on June 1, followed by a five-match Ashes series against Australia later that month.

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow, a wicketkeeper-batter from Yorkshire, has returned to England and is now fully fit after breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle during a round of golf, and has been included in the squad, while Ben Foakes has not been included.
Chris Woakes, the seamer from Warwickshire, will be returning to the England squad, while Mark Wood, the fast bowler from Durham, is back after taking a break from the New Zealand tour.

Surrey’s batsman, Ollie Pope, has been named as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect. Rob Key, the ECB managing director for England men’s cricket, expressed his sympathy for Jofra Archer’s injury, saying that it has been a frustrating and upsetting period for him. Key added that the decision to exclude Ben Foakes from the squad was a tough one.

“Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomized what we are about,” Key said. “He has been excellent for England in the last year.”

England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood.