The eagerly awaited ICC World Cup 2023 is just about three months away. Cricket fans worldwide are excitedly looking forward to this major international tournament. The ICC, in collaboration with the Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI), has revealed the official schedule of the event. It will be hosted in India for the first time since 2011. The tournament will kick off on 5th October, and the final match will be held on 19th November. With 48 matches in total, ten teams will compete fiercely for the prestigious title.
As the ICC World Cup approaches, England, the defending champions, are considered strong contenders to win the tournament. Their remarkable performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has set new standards, and their fearless style of cricket makes them stand out from other teams.
Just months before the World Cup, England has received a significant boost with the news from BBC that their star fast bowler, Jofra Archer, is well on his way to making a full recovery. He had been sidelined for a considerable period due to an elbow injury, and it’s been over two years since he played consistently.
Jofra Archer flared up his elbow injury during England’s tour to India in 2021. After that underwent surgery and following his rehabilitation, he struggled again with his elbow because of the recurrence of a stress fracture on his right elbow.
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Jofra Archer’s injury woes have been significant, causing him to miss several major cricket events. He was absent from the IPL in both 2021 and 2022, as well as the T20 World Cups in the same years. Furthermore, he was unable to participate in the Ashes series during 2021-22. His return to the field came in January 2023 when he played against South Africa, and he also appeared in a few IPL matches.
Unfortunately, his recurring elbow issue resurfaced, forcing him to withdraw from the IPL once again. Hopes were high for his recovery ahead of the Ashes in 2023, but disappointing news followed as he was ruled out for the entire English summer. Despite these setbacks, there is a positive outlook from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding his recovery, and they remain optimistic about his inclusion in the ICC World Cup.