England are 3-207 at stumps after the first day, with West Indies captain Jason Holder winning the toss but electing to send the hosts in.
Holder’s decision caused plenty of interest, but more pertinently the team sheets shared at the coin toss generated plenty of discussion too, with Archer excluded.
It has since emerged that the 25-year-old Barbados-born fast bowler put the entire series at risk after leaving the bio-secure bubble for an hour to go to his flat in Brighton and would now need to enter self-isolation.
An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: “Archer will now commence five days of isolation and will undergo two COVID-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted.
“The West Indies team have been made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed.”
It’s been confirmed by the ECB that the breach occurred when Archer stopped at his Brighton flat, for approximately one hour, while travelling from Southampton’s Ageas Bowl to Manchester between the Tests.
“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer said.
“I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.
“It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry.”
Archer’s exclusion threw England’s line-up into chaos having already decided to rest James Anderson and Mark Wood, with Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes added along with all-rounder Sam Curran.
Struggling batsman Joe Denly was dropped for returning skipper Joe Root.
The Windies attack reduced England to 2-29 early under grey skies led by Roston Chase (2-53) but Dom Sibley (86no) and Ben Stokes (59no) combined for an unbeaten 126-run stand to put the hosts in control.