Not even the hardest man has feelings for Geoffra Archer.

However fanciful it is – and very fanciful – that Archer will be featured in the Ashes – the fast bowler’s ability (or was) has fueled the dreams of England supporters.

Archer is a generational talent. His international arrival in 2019 was the most exciting for an English player since Kevin Peterson.

As far as bowlers go, it’s hard to think of any New England star with as much heart racing as Jofra.

Archer was credited with hitting a superball in the World Cup final and then, on his Test debut, knocked out Steve Smith in Test cricket, matching Andrew Flintoff’s in Egypt in 2005. As fascinating as the famous Ashes of Debaston.

After eating almost exclusively (and some very talented) medium bowlers, English cricket dined at Archer’s banquet. He is the promised land.

Archer’s elbow problem first surfaced seven months after his England debut in early 2020. Multiple surgeries and a back stress fracture have seen Archer featured in just 27 of England’s 136 appearances in all formats since the start of the year.

Archer was able to take part in some white-ball internationals at the start of the year following his longest 22-month suspension in England. He hit 95 mph in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians, but news of further discomfort in his elbow sounded alarm bells.

By then, despite positive noises from England, it was starting to feel increasingly unlikely that Archer would be available for the summer Test. Will a bowler who hasn’t played any first-class cricket since 2021 actually return in the heat of the Ashes?

one Exit the IPL early Fears were sparked, and Tuesday morning’s press release realized the worst of it. It will be the second year in a row that Archer is without any first-team cricket in the country.

There are all sorts of harrowing aspects to Archer’s injury nightmare. He’s only had four home tests in front of a crowd — his remaining 13 games have been either on the road or in the crowdless bubble summer of 2020.

He missed two T20 World Cups, one of which England won. He will now miss the Ashes series for the second time in a row, and the World Cup in India in October and November is sure to be a huge doubt.

Even before this latest setback, there were genuine concerns about his ability to play cricket again. Now it must be obvious possibility. Hopefully Archer will be able to wear any type of England shirt again one day.

“He’s hungry to play in all formats and I hope he gets the chance to do that,” England general manager Robbie said.

“It’s been a tough road and he’s got to go down it to figure it out, but I’m sure we’ll see him back at some point.”

Key has been compared to Australia captain Pat Cummins, whose back injury forced him to wait more than five years for a cap after making his Test debut in 2011.

The key difference is that Cummins returns as a 24-year-old. Archer is 28 years old.

“Jofra is like a Formula 1 car,” Key said. “You just think you’ve gotten to the point where he can come back and there’s another setback.

“You just want him to be physically strong enough to handle whatever the rigors are.”

Now, England must move on without him, but it’s worth remembering that their recent impressive 10 wins in 12 Tests has been largely without the fast bowlers And it was done without – Mark Wood played in just two of those games.

There was a string of injuries to fast bowlers early in the summer, but those injuries hit guys who didn’t play anyway, like Archer, and backup options like Olliston and Jamie Overton.

Just on Tuesday, James Anderson told the Tailenders podcast he was no worries about groin injuries He started playing for Lancashire. He was named in the Test squad against Ireland along with Australian hunter Stuart Broad.

Injuries to Archer, aged 40 and 36, have further marveled at the longevity of the two England superstars.

Ollie Robinson is Anderson and Broad’s designated heir apparent, Wood and Matthew Potts have had an impressive first year at Test Cricket, and the return of Chris Woakes, whose England averages are nearly unbeatable and.

Captain Ben Stokes has spoken of his desire to have eight fast bowlers available for the Ashes to choose from.

On the subject of England’s bowling depth, Key mentioned Durham’s Brydon Carse (who is himself injured) and Worcestershire’s Josh Tongue. Saqib Mahmood returns to action after a long hiatus.

Archer being Archer, his superstar quality means that his recent long absence will grab the headlines, but the reality is he hasn’t been a Test cricketer for over two years.

Still, that doesn’t stop us from feeling his pain, wondering what might have happened, and hoping for another bowling.

Now, getting Jofra Archer back fit and firing up cricket of any kind should be the hope of all of us.