NEW DELHI: England bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remaining two Ashes Tests due to a left side strain, a team official confirmed on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old has battled a series of fitness issues over the past four years, including stress fractures to his back and right elbow, but had shown strong form since making his long-awaited red-ball return against India.

The fourth Test starts Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the fifth scheduled for January 4 in Sydney. Australia currently lead the five-Test series 3-0 and have already retained the Ashes.

Archer joined the squad at training on Wednesday at the MCG but did not participate in practice. A team spokesperson later confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the tour.

Across the first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, Archer bowled a total of 80 overs, taking nine wickets at 27.11 and maintaining the lowest strike rate among England bowlers.

In the third Test at Adelaide, he took five for 53 in the first innings and contributed 51 runs with the bat.

Gus Atkinson has been named as Archer’s replacement in the visitors’ XI for the remaining matches, while Jacob Bethell comes in for No. 3 Ollie Pope for the Melbourne Test. Pope has struggled with a series batting average of 20.83.

Ben Duckett, who is under investigation after footage allegedly showing him intoxicated between the second and third Tests emerged this week, has retained his spot despite averaging just 16 in the series.

England team: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue(With AP Inputs)