England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday (January 16) confirmed that Jofra Archer will stay with national squad on the ongoing South Africa tour despite struggling with an injury, as the tourists hope that the fast-bowler will be able to return for the final Test of the Proteas series.

The 24-year-old has been battling inflammation and pain in his right elbow, resulting in him missing England’s series-leveling win in the Cape Town Test last week and even now he has failed to recover for the ongoing third Test at St George's Park, as England picked Mark Wood on Thursday.

However, England is hopeful that Archer will be fit and return back in contention for the fourth and final Test of the ongoing series starting January 24 in Johannesburg.

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The ECB stated: “Jofra Archer is not fit and was not considered for selection. He’s not quite there with his right elbow injury. Hopefully, he’ll be back in contention for the fourth Test.”

Meanwhile, Craig Overton was sent home on Thursday without playing a single Test match in the ongoing series after being called-up just before the Boxing Day Test last month as cover following a mystery virus hit the English camp in the rainbow nation. The board signed off by saying, “Overton will continue his prep ahead of the Lions tour of Australia, which departs next week.”

(With Reuters Inputs)