Archer ruled out of Ashes; Pope dropped for Melbourne

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remainder of England's tour of Australia due to a side strain, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Wednesday as they announced the Playing XI for the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes.

Gus Atkinson has been included in the side as Archer's replacement for the Boxing Day Test, set to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26. The selectors have also included Jacob Bethell in the side. He will play at No 3 in place of Ollie Pope, who has been left out.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue

Archer's injury is the second major injury for an English fast-bowler on this tour. Mark Wood was ruled out of the series after the Brisbane Test due to a left-knee injury.

Meanwhile, Pope has had a dismal run in the three Tests of the Ashes so far. He has scored only 125 runs in six innings with 79 of those runs coming in the first Test alone.

England have already lost the series, with Australia having won the first three Tests.