England handed Ashes boost as Jofra Archer steps up his rehabilitation

Jofra Archer could return to bowling on Friday as he steps up his rehabilitation following elbow surgery last month.

The England fast bowler is said to be making excellent progress after going under the knife on May 21 and has been strengthening his right arm by using weights in the gym.

Now the 26-year-old is ready to begin the early stages of his bowling comeback programme, meeting the lower end of the estimated four to six weeks of inactivity post-op. 

Although no target date was set for a playing return, it is nevertheless positive news for the 2019 World Cup winner ahead of a meeting with a consultant next week.

The England fast bowler (left) underwent surgery on his troublesome elbow on May 21 but has been working hard on strengthening his right arm by using handheld weights in the gym

Archer wrote in his Sportsmail column recently that any appearances before his twin goals of featuring in the Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes would be a bonus. 

His likeliest resumption will be during the Hundred competition, which starts on July 22.

He is contracted to Southern Brave, who are set to name South African star Quinton de Kock as an overseas replacement for David Warner, the Australian opener who has pulled out of the ECB’s new competition twice before a ball has been bowled.

De Kock plays under Brave head coach Mahela Jayawardene for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Now Archer is ready to begin the early stages of his bowling comeback programme