Jofra Archer and Mark Wood give England double injury boost

Archer was ruled out of the second Test in Cape Town because of an elbow issue, but further examinations only revealed bruising

Jofra Archer is set to be fit for England’s third Test against South Africa after a secondary scan on a right elbow problem showed no serious damage.

The seamer was ruled out of the second Test in Cape Town because of the issue, but further examinations only revealed bruising.

He was replaced in the side by Dom Bess, who would likely have played in any case. Had Archer been fit, it would have left Joe Root and Chris Silverwood with a decision to make, with Archer, Stuart Broad and James Anderson all then vying, seemingly, for two spots in England’s line-up.

Fellow fast bowler Mark Wood could also return from injury in time for the third Test in Port Elizabeth.

The Durham seamer has not bowled competitively in a match since the World Cup final when he injured his side. Since then, he has also suffered from a knee problem but he has recovered from both setbacks, having missed the Ashes series and the subsequent tour of New Zealand.

During the lunch break on the second day at Newlands, he bowled quickly in a practice session as he works his way back into contention.

With Anderson in his first series back after a calf injury that blighted his summer, positive news regarding England’s two quickest bowlers will be a boost to the visitors’ camp, especially with a surface at Port Elizabeth traditionally a tougher surface for the seamers.