'Just hope that luck turns for him at some point' - Rob Key sympathises with Jofra Archer following latest injury setback

Star English pacer Jofra Archer cannot catch a break at the moment as the tearaway pacer was ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2023 and the upcoming English summer due to a recurrence of an elbow injury. While the express pacer has been ruled out of the upcoming Ashes series, England's managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key revealed that Archer has not been ruled out of the ODI World Cup later this year.

Jofra Archer made his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket earlier this year after an injury-plagued 2022. However, his troubles with injury continued as he was sidelined with an elbow injury after representing IPL franchise Mumbai Indians just five times in the ongoing 16th edition of the tournament.

Even though his injury concerns have frustrated a fair few, England's managing director Rob Key has urged people to be patient with the star pacer, citing the example of Australian skipper Pat Cummins. Cummins, who will be leading the Australian red-ball side in the Ashes next month, was also troubled with injuries in his initial career, much like Archer.

“People like Pat Cummins missed a lot of cricket at the early stage of his career. Now Australia have seen the benefit, he’s been able to put season after season together. Jofra deserves a bit of luck. The poor lad is pretty distraught with what’s happened, you just hope that luck turns for him at some point”, Key was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

We’re going to look at every single thing we’ve done: Key

The former England cricketer stated that it will be a taxing task for the pacer to regain his fitness as he has been constantly troubled by injuries in the last couple of years. He also mentioned that the management will take every step, looking at every single thing to ensure a speedy return for the Englishman, keeping his well-being as the top priority without rushing him for any international assignment. 

“It’s going to be a fairly taxing road to go down to get this fixed, but I’m sure we’ll see him back at some point. We’re going to look at every single thing we’ve done [in terms of rehab and workload]. Everything we’ve done has been what we thought was the right thing for the player first, not actually for anyone else. Just what was the best way for him to have the best career he could possibly have. And that’s not worked out. We’ll look at every single thing,” he added.