England Hit by Fresh Setback After Ashes Defeat as Jofra Archer Ruled Out

The England Cricket Team has suffered a massive blow ahead of the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26. Their pacer has been ruled out of the remaining two Ashes games against the Australian Cricket Team.

The AUS vs ENG 4th Test, which will be a Boxing Day Test, will begin on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the biggest cricket stadiums in the world. England, who are 0-3 down in the series, has already announced the playing XI for the game on Wednesday, December 24.

Jofra Archer Injury: England Star Ruled Out of the Series

As England named the playing 11, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the series with a side strain. This now dents England’s chances to win the last two games as he has been the best bowler for the Ben Stokes-led side in the series.

Archer featured in all three games and picked important wickets in all of them. He is undoubtedly one of the best bowlers in the world. Not only this, but he has also been handy with the bat, scoring crucial runs down the order. His best came in the last match, where he took a fifer and slammed a fifty, becoming the first England player in a while to achieve the feat in Australia.

Overall in the series, Jofra Archer has picked 9 wickets in three Tests and is the fourth-highest wicket-taker currently. With the bat, he has hammered 102 runs in six innings that he has played. Jofra Archer Ashes absence is likely to affect England as they aim to finish the series on a high.

Who is Jofra Archer Replacement for Melbourne Test?

England have made two changes to their XI for the fourth Test of the series against Australia. In place of Jofra Archer, the Three Lions have added Gus Atkinson to the XI. The pacer played the first two games in the series and then was dropped from the side.

Also, England have also dropped Ollie Pope from the side and he has been replaced by Jacob Bethell. Pope has struggled to get going in the series and after constant backing, he has been dropped from the side. Bethell will now be keen to make the most of the opportunity and seal his place in the Test team.

England Playing 11 for Boxing Day Test

The rest of the England XI remains the same with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opening. Bethell will at three will be followed by Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, and Will Jacks. Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue will lead the pace bowling department. With important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line, England would be keen to win the last two games and end the series on a high. Here’s England playing 11 for Melbourne Test:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue