Jofra Archer warned and fined by ECB for breaching bio-secure protocols

England pacer Jofra Archer was all over the news for the wrong reasons ahead of the second Test against the West Indies. He was left out of the team hours before the match started for breaching the bio-secure protocols set by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Archer stopped at his home in Brighton when all the players were supposed to reach Manchester from Southampton in their individual cars.

The former cricketers have also lashed out at him for letting down his teammates and the opposition as the conditions have been demanding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And now the ECB has fined Jofra Archer for an undisclosed amount and also gave him a written warning for not adhering to the protocols.

He is currently in self-isolation for five days and will have to test negative twice for COVID-19 to be considered for the third and final Test match against the Caribbean side.

ECB releases official statement

Meanwhile, the ECB has released an official statement on the matter after a disciplinary hearing confirming the fine and warning given to Jofra Archer. The pace bowler is now expected to join the squad on July 21 after testing negative for COVID-19. “Following a disciplinary hearing held on Friday evening, 17 July, England cricketer Jofra Archer has been fined an undisclosed amount and received an official written warning after admitting to breaching the team’s bio-secure protocols on Monday 13 July when he made an unauthorised visit to his home in Hove.

“Archer was withdrawn from England’s second Test squad against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford and is commencing five days of isolation at the venue. He will undergo two COVID-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted. He is due to rejoin the rest of the squad on Tuesday 21 July.

“The hearing was chaired by Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men’s Cricket and included Archer’s agent and a representative from the Professional Cricketers’ Association,” the statement from the ECB read. Earlier, Jofra Archer had apologised to the fans and the team for his actions and accepted the consequences for the same.

“I am extremely sorry for what I have done. I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble,” he had said.