Archer ruled out of English summer after latest setback

England speedster Jofra Archer's absence from competitive cricket will stretch beyond a year after another injury setback ruled him out of the rest of the UK season.

The 27-year-old former Hobart Hurricanes quick has been diagnosed with a lower back stress fracture and will not play for England or Sussex during the 2022 northern summer.

Archer's last top level match was in July 2021 in a domestic one-day warm-up fixture for Sussex against Oxfordshire where he bowled six overs.

He has not played for England since the fifth match of their T20I series against India in March 2021.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement that no timeframe had been set for his return.

"A management plan will be determined following further specialist opinion over coming days," the ECB said.

It's the latest setback in a horror run of injuries for the right-arm seamer, who hasn't been able to consistently get on the park at the top level since bursting onto the global stage during the 2019 World Cup in England and second Ashes Test at Lord's a few weeks later.

Archer underwent a second elbow operation in December that ruled him out of England's last Test series against the West Indies in March, while the recurrence of that right elbow stress fracture in August initially ruled him out of the Ashes last summer.

He is a hugely attractive asset on the lucrative global T20 circuit but has previously stated his desire to prove himself in the five-day format, but whether his body allows him to do so, remains to be seen.

Archer is one of several England fast bowlers currently sidelined through injury with Sydney Thunder sensation Saqib Mahmood the latest to join a list that includes Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes and Matt Fisher.

England yesterday named their 13-player squad for a three-Test home series against New Zealand with incoming head coach Brendon McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes calling on uncapped paceman Matthew Potts and Craig Overton to partner veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Ollie Robinson, who hasn't played for England since his four Tests during last summer's Ashes, also didn't make the cut after battling a series of fitness issues and whose bowling in domestic cricket has been restricted.

Australians in 2022 County Championship

Essex: Mark Steketee

Glamorgan: Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser

Gloucestershire: Marcus Harris

Middlesex: Peter Handscomb

Northamptonshire: Matt Kelly

Nottinghamshire: James Pattinson

Somerset: Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle

Warwickshire: Nathan McAndrew

Get the full rundown of Australians playing county cricket in 2022