England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been fined and given a written warning by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching bio-secure protocols, but was cleared to play the third test against West Indies.
England dropped Archer from the team for the second test against West Indies, announcing the decision hours before the start of the match at Old Trafford on Thursday.
"Following a disciplinary hearing held on Friday evening, 17 July, England cricketer Jofra Archer has been fined an undisclosed amount and received an official written warning after admitting to breaching the team's bio-secure protocols on Monday 13 July when he made an unauthorised visit to his home in Hove," says the ECB.
"Archer was withdrawn from England's second Test squad against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford and is commencing five days of isolation at the venue.
"He will undergo two COVID-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted. He is due to rejoin the rest of the squad on Tuesday 21 July."
ECB director of cricket Ashley Giles said Archer's mistake could have cost the board "tens of millions" of pounds but England vice-captain Ben Stokes said the team would be there to support the player.
Giles headed Archer's disciplinary hearing, which was also attended by the player's agent and a representative from the Professional Cricketers' Association.
Barbados-born Archer will remain in self-isolation for five days and will undergo two COVID-19 tests which must be negative before his isolation is lifted.
Meanwhile, play was abandoned without a ball being bowled on the third day of the second test between England and the West Indies as rain fell persistently over Old Trafford.
The West Indies will resume on 32-1, with Kraigg Brathwaite on six and nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph on 14.
They are still 437 runs behind after England declared their first innings on 469/9, seeking to level the series after losing the first test in Southampton.
Reuters
