Jofra Archer should apologise to West Indies for breaching bio-secure bubble: Michael Vaughan

It was a historic moment when England and West Indies braced the field for the first time amid COVID-19 pandemic. Both the sides, considering the stern situation across the globe, locked horns at Southampton while abiding by the interim ICC post-coronavirus world regulations.

Moreover, players from both sides were confined to a ‘biosecure bubble’ to avoid the risk of COVID-19 transmission. England pacer Jofra Archer, however, broke the ‘biosecure bubble’ and went to his Brighton home.

Archer’s move garnered much criticism as the speedster for bashed for breaching the biosecurity protocol. Archer was also handed a five-day quarantine following his breach. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has said that he won’t be too critical of Archer’s move. However, he termed Archer’s decision a bit ‘selfish’, considering that it might put the ongoing series in jeopardy.

Vaughan also pointed out that West Indies have made a huge sacrifice by coming to ‘COVID-19 hotspot’ England to play the Test series. Vaughan insisted that Archer should address the visiting side and apologise to them.

It’s a huge sacrifice that West Indies made: Michael Vaughan

“It did surprise me that one player kind of went a little bit haywire, breaking the bio-bubble. The whole series is at risk if he brings the virus in the bio-bubble. It’s a real problem area,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

“Jofra has had one of those moments. It’s a little bit selfish. He has probably felt a bit low. England lost the Test match and he just wanted to go home and see probably one of his loved ones. We are not quite sure why he went home. But I am guessing that’s the reason.

I am not going to be too critical of him. It’s a huge sacrifice that the West Indies team made. They came over here on June 8 and entered a Covid hot zone in the UK to get the series on. It’s the West Indies that I look at, Jofra should really look at them and apologise,” added Vaughan.

Considering the amount of criticism that Archer has been getting post his decision, Vaughan feels that it’s important to take care of the pacer’s mental health. Archer will be in isolation for the next five days and it will be a tough period for him, according to Vaughan.

“I fear for him, he is going to be on his own in the hotel for 5 days. No one can go and visit him. It’s so important that we look after Jofra Archer the person over the next few days because it’s not going to be easy.

“He is probably reading everything on social media. I hope he doesn’t but I am sure he will be. He will be back playing for England, whether it will be in the 3rd Test? I doubt it. But I am pretty sure he will be back for the Pakistan series in August,” Vaughan said.