Archer ruled out, Bairstow returns, promotion for Pope as England announce squad for Ireland Test

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England on Wednesday named their squad for the one-off Test against Ireland, starting 1 June at Lord's. Ollie Pope has been named vice-captain. The Test is expected to bring England in game mode ahead of the crucial Ashes 2023 which kicks starts from June 16.

In two of the biggest developments Jofra Archer, who recently featured in a handful of IPL 2023 matches, has been ruled out of the Ireland Test and upcoming Ashes due to recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow.

Senior wicketkeeper-batter Jonathan Bairstow is now fully fit, following his broken left leg and dislocated ankle which ruled him out of the T20 World Cup and is back with England for the first time since last August.

"Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management," an ECB release said.

Further, senior pacer Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022, and if selected, this will be his first Test appearance on home soil since August 2020.

Also back in the squad is Mark Wood, who was part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2023. Wood also took a break from the tour of New Zealand.

Surrey batter Ollie Pope, who has made rapid strides in red-ball cricket for England, has been officially confirmed as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect.

Commenting on the selected squad, ECB Managing Director for England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, said:

"We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland.

“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.

“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery.

"I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

"I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away."

England squad for one-off Test vs Ireland: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.