JOFRA ARCHERS injury nightmare continued when he was today ruled out of Englands tour of Sri Lanka and the Indian Premier League.
A scan revealed he has suffered a low grade stress fracture of his right elbow and he will begin a programme of rehab.
Archers aim now is to be ready for the international summer which begins in June with a three-Test series against West Indies.
The Sussex speedster, 24, has already missed the final three Tests against South Africa and the T20 series which begins next week.
He was scheduled to be rested from the current 50-over series.
It is a huge blow to the bowler who was the super over hero of Englands World Cup final triumph last July and then took two six-wicket hauls in the Ashes.
But he first felt his elbow during that epic final against New Zealand and the injury kept flaring up this winter.
He underwent a scan in South Africa last month that showed some swelling but no structural damage.
This latest scan is more sophisticated – including injecting dye into the joint – and Archers worst fears were confirmed.
Archer is likely to be out of action for around three months. He will undergo further scans and, if they show an improvement, he could begin bowling gently in four to six weeks.
It has been an unhappy few months for Archer with claims – mainly from Kevin Pietersen – that he could walk away from Test cricket unless he is treated with greater empathy by England.
Archer hotly denied the suggestions and he was in tears when ruled out of the Fourth Test against South Africa just an hour before the match was due to start.
Archers deal with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL is worth around 780,000 but he is likely to be insured against missing the tournament.
