The Ashes without Jofra Archer will burn a little less brightly for Australians too

England's Jofra Archer has been ruled out of this summer's Ashes series due to a stress fracture in his right elbow. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

If you started following cricket recently, you might wonder why the fuss about Jofra Archer missing this year’s Ashes. A player with 13 Tests for England, the last well over two years ago, and 42 wickets at an average of 31.

Those who watched four years ago will know why Archer is imprinted on an Australian cricket consciousness as firmly as on England’s. His earlier work in Australia’s domestic T20 league had already introduced an incredible athlete in the field and a force with the ball. Then he showed up in the second Ashes match of 2019 in place of the injured Jimmy Anderson.