British Players Unavailable for Sri Lanka Tour

Seasonal events regarding England’s national cricket team have been announced & postponed throughout 2020, with venues sustaining minimal infections continuing onwards. Other test series, like the South African ODI, was terminated because of unexpected outbreaks. Similar infection levels are hoped to be avoided when England heads to Sri Lanka for two consecutive tours. Players concerns for personal & family safety have announced they’ll not participate in the Sri Lankan tours, with individuals like Ben Stokes confirming he won’t compete until the India ODI Competition. Jofra Archer also confirmed he’ll compete in India’s upcoming tournament, meaning he’ll avoid the Sri Lankan tour.

The last two competitions involving the England national cricket team haven’t seen Ben Stokes in contention. The reason being his father’s death, prompting his immediate attention towards family proceedings. That hasn’t been the case with Jofra Archer, who has sustained all ECB Covid-Bubbles to guarantee his contention since March 2020. Christmas festivities are forcing prolonged isolation for Jofra Archer, meaning he’ll be unavailable for the Sri Lankan tour.

Jofra Archer confirmed that he’s isolating himself from family & friends for the first tour in India since Covid-19. Other notable members in England’s national cricket team won’t be attending. Announcements were issued that Rory Burn & Ollie Pope being unavailable for competition. For Burns, it’s because of his newfound fatherhood that arrives in January 2020. Ollie Pope isn’t permitted by medical personnel to compete because of residing injuries in his right shoulder. Pope won’t resume his contractual obligations until the India ODI Tour, which arrives on January 22nd in the new year. England coaching personnel have planned for Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes to return to competition by January 22nd.

The Replacement Squad

Coaching personnel have had to elect reserve cricketers to account for player losses with Burns, Pope, Archer, and Stokes. The below players have contributed to the success of England’s national cricket team over the last five years. Below are the guaranteed personnel competing at the Sri Lankan Tour on January 13th, 2021.

• Moeen Ali.
• Ben Foakes.
• Ed Smith.
• John Bairstow.
• Stuart Broad.
• Jimmy Anderson.