Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has ruled out England’s chances of winning the Ashes series Down Under later this year without their “fear factor” Jofra Archer.
England has already lost out their premier all-rounder Ben Stokes, who took an indefinite break from cricket to take care of his mental wellbeing and finger injury, and now Archer to a shoulder injury for the remainder of the year, which makes things only tricky for the Three Lions.
The 26-year-old has been ruled out of all form of cricket for the remainder of the year, which meant he will miss the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and the Australia tour for the Ashes 2021-2022.
England hasn’t won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010-11 and Clarke, who had led Australia to a 5-0 whitewash in his last Ashes series at home, believes that Archer’s absence has significantly dented England’s hopes of winning their first Urn later this year in 20 years.
Andrew Strauss had led England to Ashes series victory 3-1 in Australia back in 2010-11, which remains their only success Down Under since 1986-87. England won the Ashes in 2015 but went down 0-4 in 2017-18 and then lost honors at home in 2019 with the Ashes series ended at 2-2.
Clarke said on Sky Sports’ ‘Big Sports Breakfast’ on Friday (August 6): “They can’t win without him. England cannot beat Australia in Australia without Jofra Archer. No Ben Stokes either, they’re cooked. Their batting is not that good. He (Archer) is their fear factor. Without Archer, I think they’re cooked.”
Australia had lost their last Test series at home to India and the former captain hopes for a better show from the hosts in the upcoming Ashes 2021-22 against England.
He signed off by saying, “Our quicks and Nathan Lyon should perform better than against India. The batting is another year older and another year wiser. I think you’ll see a better team (in the Ashes).”
