England bowler Jofra Archer fined and given official warning for breaching bio-secure protocols

Paceman broke the rules by going to his flat in Brighton, as Day 3 of the third Test against the West Indies is washed out

Jofra Archer celebrates trapping West Indies' Shamarh Brooks LBW on the fifth day of the first Test between England and the West Indies. Archer was ruled out of the second Test and sent into self-isolation on July 16 for breaking "bio-secure protocols" aimed at stopping coronavirus infections. AFP

England's Jofra Archer. Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer catches the ball to take the wicket of West Indies' Jason Holder in the first Test. AFP

ofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s second Test against the West Indies after a breach of the team’s ‘bio-secure protocols’, the ECB has announced. PA

Jofra Archer of England during an England nets session. Getty

Jermaine Blackwood ducks a bouncer from England's Jofra Archer. Reuters

West Indies' Shane Dowrich, right, leaps in the air in an attempt to play a ball from England's Jofra Archer. AP

England's Jofra Archer celebrates taking the wicket of West Indies' Shamarh Brooks with team-mate Ben Stokes during day five of the Test Series at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. PA

Jofra Archer celebrates dismissing Shamarh Brooks. Getty

England's Jofra Archer (left) and Chris Woakes celebrate winning the ICC World Cup Final at Lord's last year. PA

England fast-bowler Jofra Archer was fined and received an official warning for breaching the team's bio-secure protocols following the opening Test against West Indies.

Archer broke the rules by going to his flat in Brighton following the series opener in Southampton last week.

England dropped him from the team for the second test against West Indies, announcing the decision hours before the start of the match at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The disciplinary hearing on Friday evening was chaired by England director of cricket Ashley Giles and attended by Archer's agent and a representative from the Professional Cricketers' Association. Details about the size of the fine were not disclosed.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) read: "Jofra Archer has been fined an undisclosed amount and received an official written warning after admitting to breaching the team's bio-secure protocols on Monday 13 July when he made an unauthorised visit to his home in Hove.

"Archer was withdrawn from England's second Test squad against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford and is commencing five days of isolation at the venue.

"He will undergo two Covid-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted. He is due to rejoin the rest of the squad on Tuesday."

England vice-captain Ben Stokes said the team were going to be mindful of Archer's well-being during his period of isolation in a hotel room at the ground.

"We understand that it can be a very vulnerable and lonely place for him right now," Stokes told BBC Test Match Special.

"Making sure that Jof is as happy as he possibly can be is the main thing for us. We need to do everything we can to make sure we keep him going."

Stokes, meanwhile, admitted England face a tough task to win the second Test against the West Indies and pull level in the three-match series after rain washed out the third day's play at Old Trafford on Saturday.

As the Test enters Day 4, the West Indies will resume on 32/1 in their first innings reply to England's 469/9 declared. It means England face a race against time to square the series.

"It's not ideal, turning up today with the weather around," Stokes, who top-scored with 176 on Friday, told Sky Sports. "It's looking like we'll have to take 19 wickets in two days.

"But the wicket has offered something throughout the whole Test so far, so we just need to make sure we can expose that. And we know that once we get on a roll, anything is possible with the bowling attack we have."