Overview
- Archer will skip Sunday’s opener in Mount Maunganui as part of a planned build-up for the Ashes rather than due to injury.
- He is due to arrive in New Zealand this weekend with Mark Wood and Josh Tongue to begin targeted conditioning work.
- Coaches will assess him for a potential appearance in the second ODI in Hamilton next week.
- England’s fast-bowling group is on bespoke programs and will join the England Lions early on November 2 ahead of the Perth Test on November 21.
- The cautious approach follows Archer’s past back and elbow issues after a heavy 2019 Bay Oval workload, with the venue also linked to a racial-abuse incident he faced.