JOFRA ARCHER is a doubt for the Second Test on Friday after suffering an elbow injury.
Archers problem emerged as every member of Englands squad was able to attend training for the first time after 18 days in South Africa.
So, as the illness epidemic finally eases, Englands fastest bowler could be ruled out of their vital opening match of 2020.
Ben Stokes, whose father Ged is making good progress in a Johannesburg hospital after a serious illness, has revealed the players are calling it the cursed tour.
Archer batted and took part in fielding drills at practice on Wednesday but was not able to bowl.
If he is ruled out of the Second Test, it would mean captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood would not have to decide whether to drop James Anderson or Stuart Broad.
With a spinner – probably Dom Bess – likely to play because the pitch at the Newland ground is expected to offer turn, a seamer will have to be omitted.
Bess was brought into the squad as cover but, with Jack Leach hardly having bowled on tour because of sickness and Matt Parkinson struggling in the warm-up games, he is favourite to play.
Both Root and Silverwood insisted after the 107-run defeat in the First Test that they would have the courage to drop either Anderson or Broad.
Archer, who took five expensive wickets in South Africas second innings at Centurion and how has three five-fors in his seven-Test career, was expected to keep his place.
