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'Jofra Archer Won't Replace Reece Topley', Confirms England Coach Matthew Mott

image-lo13t4z6Jofra Archer [X.com]

The finger injury to Reece Topley may have inadvertently raised England fans' hopes to witness express pacer Jofra Archer in the ICC World Cup 2023. Still, coach Matthew Mott dismissed the thought on Saturday (October 21) following his team's gut-wrenching loss to South Africa in Mumbai. 

Archer, who was seen training with the Jos Buttler-led squad heading into the Proteas face-off at the Wankhede Stadium, won't participate in England's World Cup campaign, their head coach has confirmed. The speedster remains on the sidelines in rehab from a stress fracture to his right elbow. 

Topley's injury had given way to speculations if England could be in a position to recall Archer after he trained without hiccups. The tall pacer hurt his finger during the Proteas' first-innings batting display in Mumbai after attempting to save a straight drive hit by opposition right-hander Rassie van der Dussen. 

The incident occurred in the seventh over. Bowling to the in-form Dussen, Topley ended up hurting his finger while trying to save a hit past his hand for a boundary. The bowler received immediate treatment from the medical staff and had to leave the field without finishing off his over. 

'Archer Won't Come In Place Of Topley'- Matthew Mott

The inability to continue bowling with an injured left index finger meant Topley was taken off the field for an immediate medical procedure, and even though the bowler returned to play the rest of the match, the injury scare seems to have worsened after the match. 

Topley showcased courage to come back with a strapped-up finger and even provided his side a breakthrough in his next over. However, the 29-year-old now stands on the brink of being ruled out for the remainder of England's campaign. 

Mott revealed suspicion of a broken finger with Topley, who looks unlikely to participate in England's next league-stage encounter against Sri Lanka on Thursday (October 26). Either way, the coach also confirmed that the replacement to be called in for Topley's potential absentee won't be Archer. 

"Jof is actually not going to be considered for selection," the coach was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

"He's come out, he's reported to the medical staff, but he's not going to be able to play a part in the end of this campaign," he concluded. 

England will take on Sri Lanka in their fifth group-stage game in Bengaluru on the 26th.