Jofra Archer to Miss Remainder of Ashes After Side Strain Setback In a major blow to England's Ashes campaign, star fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against Australia due to a side strain. The news comes as the team also confirmed the dropping of former vice-captain Ollie Pope from the squad for the crucial fourth Test in Melbourne. Archer's injury is a significant setback for an English team that had been banking on the 26-year-old's pace and skill to help them fight back after falling 2-0 behind in the series. The Barbados-born quick has been a crucial part of the England setup in recent years, playing an integral role in their 2019 World Cup triumph and making a promising start to his Ashes debut last year. However, the recurrence of a nagging side strain has now forced the team management to make the difficult decision to shut Archer down for the rest of the tour. The injury is the latest in a series of fitness issues that have plagued the talented pacer, who has struggled with elbow and back problems in the past. "It's very disappointing to lose Jofra at such an important time in the series," said England captain Joe Root. "He's a world-class performer and has been a crucial part of our plans. But we have to prioritize his long-term fitness, and ensure he can come back stronger for us in the future." With Archer sidelined, England have turned to uncapped seamer Ollie Robson as his replacement in the squad. The 24-year-old Gloucestershire bowler will be hoping to make his Test debut in Melbourne, providing England with a fresh option to partner James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Mark Wood in the pace attack. Robson's inclusion is not the only change to the England lineup, with the struggling Ollie Pope also making way for the fourth Test. The 23-year-old batsman, who has scored just 62 runs in four innings so far this series, has been replaced by Sussex's Stiaan van Zyl. "Ollie has shown a lot of promise, but we feel he needs a bit more time to work on his game and find his best form," explained England head coach Chris Silverwood. "Stiaan is an experienced first-class performer who we believe can come in and do a job for us at a crucial time." Van Zyl, a South African-born right-hander, brings a wealth of domestic experience to the England squad. The 34-year-old has averaged over 40 in first-class cricket and will be hoping to make an immediate impact as England look to bounce back from their comprehensive defeats in the first three Tests. The loss of Archer is a particular blow for an England team that had been buoyed by his impressive performances in the opening two matches of the series. The paceman claimed five wickets at an average of just 27.60 in Brisbane and Adelaide, showcasing the kind of pace and bounce that had made him such a threat during the 2019 Ashes. His absence leaves England's bowling attack somewhat depleted, with the team now relying heavily on the veteran pair of Anderson and Broad to lead the way. The duo have a wealth of experience between them, but at 39 and 35 respectively, there are concerns about their ability to maintain their intensity over the course of a grueling five-Test series. England will also be looking to their other seamers, Wood and Ollie Robinson, to step up in Archer's absence. Wood in particular has the potential to be a real handful for the Australian batters with his express pace, while Robinson has impressed with his consistency and discipline since making his debut earlier this year. The team's batting lineup has also been a source of concern, with Pope's struggles emblematic of a broader lack of form and confidence among the England top order. Root has been the standout performer, but the captain will need greater support from the likes of Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, and Ben Stokes if the visitors are to mount a serious challenge for the urn. The fourth Test in Melbourne, which gets underway on December 26, represents a crucial juncture in the series. England will be desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, which would all but extinguish their hopes of regaining the Ashes. A win, on the other hand, would breathe new life into their campaign and set the stage for a thrilling finale to the series. With Archer sidelined and Pope dropped, the pressure is on the rest of the England squad to step up and deliver a performance that can turn the tide. The team will need to draw on all of their experience, skill, and resilience to overcome the formidable challenge presented by the dominant Australians. As the cricket world awaits the next chapter in this historic rivalry, the onus is on England to find the answers to their problems and mount a spirited fightback. The absence of Archer is a significant blow, but the team must now rally around their remaining resources and prove that they have the depth and determination to compete with the best in the world.