Chris Silverwood: Jofra Archer made a mistake but we will support him

The fast bowler, who took three wickets in the second innings of England's six-wicket defeat in the first Test, breached bio-secure protocols by travelling to his flat in Hove

England head coach Chris Silverwood admitted that Jofra Archer “made a bad judgement call” in travelling home in a detour on his journey from Southampton to Manchester, but stressed the need to support the 25-year-old during his self-isolation period.

The fast bowler, who took three wickets in the second innings of England's six-wicket defeat in the first Test, breached bio-secure protocols by travelling to his flat in Hove on Monday after leaving the Ageas Bowl.

This was despite the ECB providing bio-secure rest stops on the route from the venue of England’s first Test to Emirates Old Trafford in order to allow players and officials to stop, stretch legs, fill up with fuel and go to the bathroom.

“He went home and obviously that does breach the protocols of what we’ve set up here,” Silverwood said after watching his side reach 207 for 3 on the first day of the second Test after being asked to bat first.

“The integrity of this bio-secure environment and what we’re creating is ultimately very important. We’re grateful to the West Indies and to our guys for the amount of hard work that they’ve put in to make it as safe as possible.

“He’s made a mistake and he’s made a bad judgement call really. He knows he’s done that and we’ll support him as best we can. He’s got five days in isolation now stuck in a hotel room, so we’ve got to make sure he’s all right from a wellbeing point of view and we look after him.”

^{Archer was in fine form during West Indies' second innings at the Ageas Bowl}

Under protocols, Archer has now commenced five days of isolation and will undergo two Covid-19 tests, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted.

The person that Archer met at home has tested negative for coronavirus.

Silverwood added that he had spoken as well to West Indies coach Phil Simmons, acknowledging his gratitude for his reaction to the news.

Questions have been asked since the incident was revealed three hours before the scheduling start of play of why England – unlike their West Indian counterparts – were travelling individually and not on a team coach.

Speaking on Sky Sports before the Test began, Michael Holding said: “I want to ask a few questions of the ECB and these protocols: why aren't the England team travelling on a bus?

“If they have passed their Covid tests, everyone is together, moving from one venue to another, why are they allowed to be going in cars? What's the purpose of that? People need to think a bit.”

Yet, Silverwood explained that arranging for the squad to travel as one could be “a logistical nightmare”.

“People are coming from all over the country,” he pointed out. “So where do you leave your cars? Where do you get picked up from? Where do you go back to?

“I think if people adhere to the protocol, I think it works perfectly well.”

The Daily Telegraph reported during the day that plans for car travel will continue, with advice given to the ECB suggesting it remains safer than going by coach, “where there is a risk of air being recycled through air-conditioning systems and it is challenging for players to socially distance”.

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