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Aiming to return in September; T20 World Cup dream is on: Jofra Archer

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England pacer Jofra Archer said he is aiming a return to bowling by September this year and is optimistic about playing in the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.

Earlier this year, Archer was ruled out of competitive cricketing action of the English season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back.

Archer has not played for England since the five-match T20I series in India in March 2021 and had undergone three bouts of surgery since then: – first on his hand to remove a shard of glass, and two on his troublesome right elbow.

“I know I have a lot of cricket left in me, too, despite my latest setback – a stress fracture of the back that will prevent me featuring in matches this season. Although it was officially picked up by the medics in May, when I was training with Sussex, I first felt it while bowling in the nets during England’s tour of the Caribbean in March,” wrote Archer in his column for Daily Mail.

Archer revealed that his back was fine when he bowled at England’s nets ahead of the second Test against the West Indies at Barbados but things changed when he was back in England. “At the time, I didn’t think it was much. You get pain all the time as a fast bowler and none of us ever think we’ve got a stress fracture until confirmation from scan results.”

“When I was in Barbados, bowling to the Test team in the nets, I was flying. I’d ticked all the boxes. Done everything by the book. I was very strict in the gym. It felt like I’d nailed everything. Rested, rehabbed and ready. I knew something was seriously wrong, though, back in Hove. A full week after realising there was an issue with my back, the pain hadn’t subsided.”

With him enduring a prolonged time on the sidelines, Archer is now focusing on recovery to make a comeback to competitive cricket. “This is my second stress fracture of the back. It’s on the right side of the spine this time, whereas the previous one was on the left. The elbow I had surgery on last December remains fine.”

“Of course, it has felt like it’s been one thing after another but I’m not overly frustrated at this stage because I came to terms with a lengthy spell on the sidelines long ago. Had I played a game and then broken down, that would have been a lot harder to take. As things are, nothing has changed and I am still striving to get back on the field.”

“That won’t happen in a game situation this county season, but what’s keeping me going is the fact that I should be bowling by September with a view to returning to competitive cricket soon after. Don’t forget, the World Cup starts in October.”

International

Violent Clash Erupts Between Rival Supporters During Argentina vs Brazil 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been marred in controversy as the match between Brazil and Argentina saw violent clashes between rival supporters before the start of it. The high-profile fixture had to be delayed by 30 minutes as the Marcana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro witnessed ugly scenes, with disturbing visuals emerging on social media.

With the Brazilian and Argentinian players lining up for national anthems, the camera turned towards the stands as a section of rival fans exchanged blows. The local police officials could be seen beating up a section of Argentinian fans with batons and it did not go well with the tourists. By pointing at the violent scenes, Messi and co. decided to walk off the pitch.

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PAK vs ENG, CWC 2023: ‘Broke 25 Crore People’s Hopes In 5 Seconds’, Netizens Troll Pakistan As England Almost Kill The Game At Toss

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Pakistan cricket fans were left ruing their luck at the toss as it fell in England’s favour at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. With Jos Buttler winning the toss marking the end of Pakistan’s campaign at the showpiece event, netizens have relentlessly trolled Babar Azam and his men for losing the contest at the toss.

Coming into the game, Pakistan were facing a near impossible equation as winning the toss was the first priority. After winning the toss, Pakistan had to beat them by a massive 287-run margin. As things stand currently, Babar Azam and co. must do the unthinkable, bowling out for a mere 20 runs and getting those in only 1.3 overs, which would be their best-case scenario.

As things stand, the target for Pakistan will get bigger and the overs will keep diminishing. Pakistan fans were already irked as Babar was excluded among the list of captains during the light show at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Thursday. It’s worth noting that Pakistan haven’t qualified for the 50-over World Cup semi-finals since the 2011 edition.

Pakistan have also made one change from their last match, benching Hassan Ali for an extra spinner in Shadab Khan. England have gone ahead with an unchanged line-up.

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CWC 2023: South Africa vs Australia Semi-Final To Be Shifted To Mumbai If Pakistan Reach Knockouts, Confirm ICC Sources

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The ODI World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Australia will be shifted to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai if Pakistan qualify for the knockouts, sources in the International Cricket Council confirmed to the Free Press Journal on Thursday.

If Pakistan manage to reach the semis then they will face arch-rivals India once again in this tournament. In that case, the semi-final will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 15.

But if Pakistan don’t reach the semis then India will face either New Zealand or Afghanistan in Mumbai and South Africa will take on Australia in Kolkata as per the original schedule.India are scheduled to play their semifinal match in Mumbai only if they don’t face Pakistan. The Men in Green have refused to play in Mumbai due to security reasons.

Pakistan qualification scenario explained

But Pakistan’s qualification depends on the result of the match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka which is being played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.

If New Zealand manage to beat Sri Lanka by a comfortable margin then Pakistan’s qualification will take a hit even if they defeat England in their last league game. A loss against the defending champions in Kolkata on November 11 will automatically knockout Pakistan from the race for the semis.

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