Jofra Archer To Miss Opening ODI Against New Zealand For Ashes Preparation

Jofra Archer was ruled out of the opening ODI against New Zealand as England continued to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes series.

Jofra Archer will sit out the opening ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui as England continue their strategic workload management for the Ashes. The decision comes as part of England’s plan to keep their key fast bowlers fresh and fit ahead of the high-stakes series.

Archer made a spectacular return to Test cricket earlier this year after more than four years out due to injury. His omission from the first ODI is not due to fitness issues but is a deliberate move to maintain his long-term availability for the upcoming Ashes series.

Archer, who was also rested from the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, will arrive in the country on Thursday along with Mark Wood and Josh Tongue. The trio will begin conditioning work as England’s fast-bowling group prepares for the first Ashes Test in Perth, which is just over four weeks away.

Archer’s absence from the first ODI means he will not return to Mount Maunganui, the venue often linked with the start of his injury troubles. During his fifth Test for England in 2019, Archer bowled 42 overs in an innings as New Zealand piled up 615 for nine. It was a workload exceeded only once by James Anderson, who bowled 44 overs in 2008 against South Africa, while Stuart Broad never bowled more than 36 in a single innings. Archer reported elbow pain a month later.

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That same 2019 Test also saw Archer face racial abuse from a spectator in the stands. The individual was later identified and banned from attending cricket matches for two years.

England delay XI announcement before final T20I

England have chosen not to reveal their playing XI ahead of the third and final T20I at Eden Park, breaking from their usual tradition.

Typically, England name their team a day in advance for both Test and limited-overs formats. However, heavy rain in Auckland has created uncertainty around the final combination, particularly the balance between seamers and spinners.

Eden Park, known for its rugby heritage, is one of the most distinctive cricket venues with its extremely short straight boundaries. These dimensions, coupled with damp conditions, may lead England to play an extra seamer instead of fielding both Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid.

“It can sometimes be a bit mickey mouse at Eden Park,” New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert said in Auckland. “250 can be a par score. It’ll be interesting to see what the wicket plays like and we’ve just got to adapt to whatever we play on.”

Last Updated on October 22, 2025