England fast bowler Jofra Archer found himself dropped from the second Test between England and West Indies to be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, thanks to him breaching the policy and rules regarding Coronavirus bio-secure protocols.
In a press release, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Archer will now commence five days of isolation and will undergo two COVID-19 tests in this period, which have to return negative before his self-isolation period is lifted.
While it is not yet clear what Archer did to contravene the rules, it is understood the breach did not occur at Old Trafford, but in between the venues. “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 apologize to everyone in the bio-secure bubble,” said Archer.
“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,” he said.
This led to many reactions from cricket fraternity including that from former India opener Aakash Chopra who called Archer irresponsible towards his team, staff, and other people and the game of cricket.
“Lack of Responsibility towards your fellow players/officials/staff and also, towards the game of cricket,” Chopra tweeted.
Apart from Chopra, eminent commentator and voice of Indian cricket, Harsha Bhogle also put forth his two cents and called this reason for suspension the most unique.
“Of all the reasons for being dropped for a test match, breach of the bio-security protocol has to be the most unique. #JofraArcher,” Bhogle tweeted.
