Archer Ruled Out as England Reshuffle for Boxing Day Ashes Test

England’s Ashes tour has taken another heavy turn with Jofra Archer ruled out of the remaining Tests in Australia. A side strain picked up in Adelaide has ended his campaign, forcing England into fresh changes ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Archer returned to Test cricket after more than four years away, earning his spot back through sheer persistence following long spells out with elbow and back problems. In a team under pressure, he led from the front, claiming nine wickets and chipping in with handy runs down the order.

Scans in Melbourne confirmed the issue, and England has opted for caution. Archer will return to the UK next week for further assessment, with eyes already drifting toward his availability for the T20 World Cup early next year, and no replacement will be flown in for the final Test.

England Forced Into a Bowling Shuffle

With Jofra Archer ruled out, Gus Atkinson comes into the XI for the Boxing Day Test. He is likely to take the new ball alongside Brydon Carse, while Josh Tongue keeps his place after his five-wicket performance in Adelaide. Shoaib Bashir remains sidelined despite earlier backing, leaving Will Jacks to continue as the spin option at No. 8.

Captain Ben Stokes and McCullum had praised Archer’s impact only days earlier. That faith now shifts elsewhere as England attempt to keep their attack competitive on a surface known for exposing weak spells.

Batting Change Signals Patience Has Run Out

The batting order has changed, and Ollie Pope is out, and Jacob Bethell moves in at No. 3. Pope managed 125 runs across 16 innings against Australia, without a single half-century on this tour.

Bethell’s selection leans on promise rather than volume, as he has yet to score a first-class hundred, but his calm presence in white-ball cricket has earned trust. This will be his fifth Test cap, another early examination in a career moving quickly.

Duckett Retained Amid Off-Field Noise

Ben Duckett keeps his place despite modest returns and an ongoing ECB investigation linked to a video circulating on social media. England had closed ranks around him, and Stokes confirmed his backing, choosing continuity over disruption at the top.

Australia will shuffle their line-up too, and with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon unavailable, Smith takes charge as captain. The hosts would like to finish the series on their terms.

For England, the Boxing Day Test now carries a different weight, and Archer’s fire will be missed. His absence leaves a gap not just in pace, but in presence. The Ashes continue, but the margin for error has narrowed even further.

England XI for 4th Ashes At MCG  

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue