Atherton and Holding lash out at Archer after bio-bubble breach

West Indian legend Michael Holding has strongly criticised Jofra Archer after the England fast bowler breached Bio-zone protocols by driving home in-between the first two test matches of the current test series against the West Indies.

England players were all told to travel in their own cars from Hampshire’s Rose Bowl stadium to Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium following the first test match on Monday with the only allowed stopover places being pre-approved petrol stations and a bio-secure lunch venue.

Archer broke protocols by taking a 160km detour to his apartment in Sussex. The England camp were only made aware of Archer’s transgression of the Bio-zone environment on Wednesday night. He was then immediately released from the environment and will have to undergo two rounds of COVID-19 testing within the space of 5 days before he’s allowed to return.

‘I have no sympathy at all’

Michael Holding was in no mood to make excuses for the 25-year-old pacer following his mistake.

“I have no sympathy at all. I don’t understand why people can’t just do what is required. Talking about sacrifices – Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a little cell and he did nothing wrong – that is a sacrifice.”

Holding told SkySports.

Atherton lashes out at Archer

Former England captain Michael Atherton was also very critical of Archer’s actions claiming his negligence has not only put England’s chances of a comeback into disarray but also put everyone’s safety in jeopardy.

“It’s very foolish for a number of reasons. One, it cost him a place in the team. Secondly, it’s thrown England’s plans into disarray, a vital Test match that they must win to try and win this series.” Atherton told Sky Sports.

“And thirdly it’s put at risk all the work that ECB have done. These six Test matches, three against West Indies, three against Pakistan, they’ve had to do a tremendous amount of work to get these games on.”

Latest update from Old Trafford

After a delayed start due to rain, West Indies won the toss and chose to have a bowl first. England are currently 64-2 at the time of posting. Roston Chase with the two early scalps removing Rory Burns (15) and Zak Crawley (0). Dominic Sibley (23*) currently occupies the crease alongside captain Joe Root (18*)

Playing XI’s

ENGLAND: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad

WEST INDIES: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel