Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
jofra archer Will not be considered for England’s first ODI against new zealand On Sunday, on a ground that holds unpleasant memories for the charismatic fast bowler.
It is understood the decision is not injury related and has instead been made in line with Archer’s Ashes build-up, as he is set to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday morning with teammate Express Quick. mark wood And passion tongue.
Neither Wood nor Tongue are in England’s squad for the three ODIs against the Kiwis, with Archer likely to play in Hamilton and Wellington next week after missing the series opener in Mount Maunganui.
Bay Oval is where the 30-year-old played his first overseas Test in November 2019 England He was highly criticized for bowling 42 overs in an innings on an extremely flat pitch.
Archer has struggled with a number of injuries in the years that followed, suffering stress fractures in his lower back and right elbow, but made a spectacular comeback this summer for his first Test appearance since February 2021.
There is no suggestion that his previous experience at Mount Maunganui – where he was also racially abused by a spectator – will have any impact on keeping him on the ice this weekend.
But Archer is set to play a major role in Australia this winter, so England will be wary of overloading him as they look to end a decade-long wait to get the vase back from their oldest rivals.
Wood and Tongue could also be key to their hopes and will travel to New Zealand to begin their preparations to face Australia, while captain Ben Stokes is set to visit family in Christchurch before the England Ashes squad assemble in Perth in the second week of November.
Joe Root, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith will likely be in the England XI in Perth on November 21 and will join the T20 squad in Auckland on Wednesday before taking part in the ODI series.
Ahead of the ODI, Harry Brook’s side will look to win the T20 series at Eden Park on Thursday, having taken a 1-0 lead after beating the Black Caps by 65 runs in Christchurch.
Tom Banton scored an unbeaten 29 off 12 balls to wrap up England’s innings in style on Monday, but the 26-year-old admitted he is still adjusting to being in the middle order having opened the batting first.
“I’ve got a different role in the team now and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
“There will be times when it comes out and it feels great and I’m sure there will be times when it doesn’t.
“But it’s just accepting that batting in the middle order is much more difficult than opening. I would do anything to play for England and bat anywhere.”
Banton burst on to the scene six years ago with a breakout domestic summer for Somerset and played 20 matches for England with three fifties, before falling out of contention in 2022.
Some impressive domestic performances at the start of the year earned him a recall into the limited overs squad and he has been a fixture in England’s T20 squad since the start of the summer.
“It’s been a strange few years,” Banton said. “It was a tough time for me after being left out of England. I think I’ve learned a lot about myself and it feels good to be back.”