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• Archer must build fitness to 'handle extra pressure' of Test cricket, says Stokes

  Ben Stokes says Jofra Archer must build up his fitness to handle the "extra pressure of a Test match", after the pace bowler extended his contract with England up to September 2026.

  Archer has not played a Test since 2021, with back and elbow injuries severely hampering his progress.

  England have carefully managed the 29-year-old's involvement, and he has been part of their white-ball setup since May.

  Although, it remains to be seen whether he will be involved in next year's five-match series with India or the Ashes, after he was signed by Rajasthan Royals in the recent Indian Premier League auction.

  That means he will miss the early part of the 2025 County Championship season with Sussex due to an overlap in the competitions, and his red-ball action will be limited ahead of the series with India.

  "The excitement is understandable around Jofra," Stokes said. "The best thing is he is back on the field playing.

  "The injuries and surgeries he has gone through could have ended careers, so there is no rushing back.

  "No doubt he is going so well at the moment. He will have to build the body up to handle the extra pressure of a Test match."

  Jacob Bethell has also signed a new two-year deal with England, while seamers Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse have extended for another year.

• Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

  West Indies bowlers Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair have been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in their recently concluded second Test match against Bangladesh.

  Seales has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee after being found to have breached article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”

  In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Seales’ disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

  The incident occurred in the first over of Bangladesh’s second batting innings when Seales made an inappropriate and overly aggressive gesture towards the opposition’s dressing room after taking a wicket.

  Sinclair has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee after he was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to "disobeying an Umpire’s instruction during an International Match.”

  In addition to his fine, one demerit point has been added to Sinclair’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

  The incident took place when Sinclair ignored the instructions of the on-field umpires to stop using language deemed aggressive and harsh towards the Bangladesh batters.

  Seales and Sinclair admitted their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

  On-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Nitin Menon, and fourth umpire Zahid Bassarath levelled the charges.

  Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

  NB: When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, and a player is banned.

  In addition to that, two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

  Finally, demerit points to remain on a player or player support personnel’s disciplinary record for a period of twenty-four (24) months from their imposition, following which they will be expunged.

• Shaw 'devastated' by yet another injury setback

  Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw has said that he is devastated after suffering the latest in a long line of injury issues.

  Shaw made his first appearance of the season coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town on 24 November, which was Ruben Amorim's first game in charge.

  He has since made another substitute appearance against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League last week and on Sunday in the 4-0 home win over Everton.

  Now a new injury, which is not thought to be related to his original calf issue, will keep him out for a few weeks.

  "It's hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles and was on a positive path going forwards, but unfortunately I've had a small setback," Shaw wrote in an emotional statement on his Instagram account.

  "I've been through a lot and had a lot of ups and downs, but this has definitely been my toughest period. I'm absolutely devastated, and it's extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time.

  "I understand there is going to be people frustrated, angry, disappointed and I understand all that. There is no one feeling that more than me at this moment in time.

  "But what I can promise is I will do everything I can to come back better soon to help this club achieve its ambitions this season. Thank you to everyone for the support. It really doesn't go unnoticed, and I really do appreciate it."

  Prior to his appearance at Ipswich, Shaw had not played since England's 2-1 defeat in the Euro 2024 final.

  That was his only start of the tournament, while his last start for Manchester United came in a 2-1 victory away to Luton Town in February.