Did Jofra Archer ‘go and see his girlfriend’ to break Covid-19 protocol?

On Wednesday England Cricket Board named a 13 man probable England squad for the 2^nd Test match against West Indies in Manchester. England veteran James Anderson and pace bowler Mark Wood who lined up for the first Test were rested and they were meant to be replaced by Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes. Whereas England decided to retain the young sensation Jofra Archer for the second Test in Manchester. But just hours before the match England was forced to kick Jofra out of the squad as he violated the strict COVID-19 protocols.

Jofra Archer kicked out of England squad   

Just hours before the start of play in Manchester, England Cricket Board announced that they have kicked Jofra Archer out of their squad as he violated the COVID-19 protocols.

According to the Daily Mail, the 25-year-old pace bowler, breached bio-security rules to visit his girlfriend, Druanna Butler in Sussex. All the England players went to the Old Trafford from Ageas Bowl in their own individual cars. Archer along with the rest of his teammates was given strict team orders to go directly from Southampton to Manchester and to not stop at or visit any other places.

“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” said Archer in a statement published by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

But he violated the rules and visited his home in Sussex during the journey. He is now being isolated in his hotel room for five days and will have to undergo two COVID-19 tests. He will be removed from isolation only if he tests negative on both occasions.

“It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry” added Archer.

To go home is too much to ask for ?

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) June 6, 2015

Did Jofra Archer really see his girlfriend?

Speculations regarding Archer visiting his girlfriend were raised after he posted a meme on his Twitter account. It was a photograph of himself giving a sly glance to the camera which was taken during England’s net session on Wednesday.

Her : drop the attitude or leave
Me : pic.twitter.com/MlVKBoXzmY

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) July 15, 2020

Alexis Nunes (ESPN Reporter) who contacted Archer mentioned that Archer stopped at home for just an hour and was never in close physical contact with anyone.

‘It was as simple as he stopped home for an hour, didn’t high five anyone, didn’t go play golf, didn’t go out for a meal or anything, went and put petrol in and went straight up to Manchester. ‘He accepts that it was a bad judgment call on his part’ said Alexis Nunes (ESPN Reporter) who was in contact with Archer.

Archer informed about the incident to a senior member of England staff only 48 hours after his detour. The information was then immediately passed on to management, which held a meeting at 10.30 pm GMT to discuss the fate of the Barbados born pace bowler.

Strict safety measures were put forward by the ECB over the past few weeks, to make the return of International cricket possible. The players were made to stay in a bio-secure bubble environment in a hotel at Hampshire in Southampton for two weeks before the start of the Test series.

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