England fast-bowler Jofra Archer looks in doubt for the upcoming second Test of the ongoing four-match Test series against South Africa after the bowler was forced to skip the bowling practice at Newlands due to a sore right elbow on Wednesday (January 1).

The bowler has only recovered from illness before the Boxing Day Test – series opener at Centurion where he took 6 wickets, including a fifer, in the tourists’ 107 runs defeat against the Proteas side and it seems that a sore right elbow could prove a hindrance in his participation for the Cape Town Test.

The 24-year-old was able to bat in the nets and even also took part in the fielding drills but bowled only six balls during training on Wednesday before the elbow acted up, raising concerns about his recovery in time for the second Test which will get underway on Friday, 3 January at Newlands.

Read Also: England will drop Broad, Anderson for 2nd Test if required, says coach Silverwood 

Meanwhile, the tourists opted for an all-pace attack in the first Test but they could bring in a specialist spinner –most probably Jack Leech for the second Test given less seam-friendly turf at Newlands, where South Africa have lost only one match in 18 Tests.

On Wednesday, England’s entire 19-man squad was able to train together for the first time including Leech, who has suffered the longest from the flu bug, on their ongoing South Africa tour.

Jos Buttler said on Wednesday, “Fingers crossed we’ve beaten the illness. It was nice to have everyone here and training together today. We start the new year afresh. We’ve had a lot of things thrown at us since the start of the tour but we know it is no excuse for how we performed (in the first Test).”

(With IANS Inputs)