Jofra Archer targets early 2023 return as the pacer starts bowling in the nets

Jofra Archer is targeting his injury comeback in early 2023 when England travel to South Africa for a three-match ODI series. This series was originally scheduled to play in 2020 but England canceled the tour due to the Covid-19 outbreak in their camp. He is back in Barbados and started bowling in the nets this week to recover his fitness. 

The 27-year-old right-arm pacer last played cricket in July 2021 during Sussex's Royal One-Day Cup warm-up game against Oxfordshire. His last international appearance came in March 2021 in a T20I clash against India. He suffered an elbow injury during England's tour to South Africa in 2020 and his return was delayed due to two elbow surgeries. 

While recovering from his elbow injury, he also sustained a back stress fracture in May 2022, which ruled him out for the remainder of the year. According to a report from inews, Jofra is now targeting his return to cricket during England's tour of South Africa in February-March 2023. He is in Barbados and has started bowling in the nets.

England to travel to South Africa a rescheduled ODI series in February 2023:

England management is not looking to speed up his recovery as they don't want to risk of losing the player for the 2023 Ashes in the summer. England are also scheduled to play two Test matches against New Zealand in February 2023 but Jofra is unlikely to be risked for the red-ball series.

Cricket South Africa announced the dates for the rescheduled ODI series against England on Thursday (October 6). Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein will schedule the first two matches on January 27 and 29 and the Kimberley Oval will host the last ODI on February 1. England hosted South Africa in the three-match ODI series in July, drawing 1-1, as the the last match in Leeds was abandoned due to rain.