"I could've cried for Jofra Archer" - Stuart Broad on England pacer's latest injury blow

England seamer Stuart Broad admitted that Jofra Archer's latest injury setback left him almost teary-eyed. The veteran reckons that Archer's target would now be to regain fitness for the 50-over World Cup.

Archer, who hasn't played Test cricket since 2021, has been ruled out of the entire English summer as his elbow issue resurfaced. The Barbados-born pacer played only five matches for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 before returning home to decide the next course of action to recover from his injury.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Broad, who played in the 2019 Ashes alongside Archer, wrote:

"I could've cried for Jofra Archer when I saw the news that he would miss the entire home summer with his elbow injury. His aim now must be to try to get fit for the 50-over World Cup in October and do his job for England in white-ball cricket."

Archer rattled the Aussie batters with his sheer pace in the 2019 Ashes series, including having Steve Smith retire hurt and get substituted due to a wicked short-pitched delivery at Lord's. He finished with 22 scalps in four Tests of that series at an average of 20.27.

With England set to host the Ashes again, Jofra Archer would have been a key weapon in England's arsenal. However, another injury has meant that he would miss the iconic contest between cricket's oldest rivals.

"Australia will probably think that we can't play the way we have done" - Stuart Broad

Australia cricket team. (Image Credits: Getty)

Stuart Broad further claimed that Australia are no pushovers, but is confident of his team playing aggressively as they have done against other oppositions. The 36-year-old added:

"Australia have got a great bowling attack and some of the best batters in the world; we are on the ultimate high as a team. We have outstanding belief. Australia will probably think that we can't play the way we have done for the past 12 months against them. I honestly think this is going to be the most intriguing series between England and Australia since 2005."

Since former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has taken over the head coach position of the England team, they have been playing in an ultra-aggressive manner. This has been particularly true of their batting efforts.

However, England would also need their bowlers to be at their best. Broad's role will be key as he is the highest wicket-taker for England against Australia among active cricketers, having claimed 131 wickets in 35 Tests at 29.05.