Archer waits in wings as England stay loyal for now
England tried to play fair with the cricketers who have taken them to the top of the 50-over world by leaving Jofra archer out of their provisional World Cup squad yesterday.
However, at least three of those named will be looking over their shoulders with a growing sense of foreboding.
Only if he has a complete shocker when he makes his much-anticipated England bow against Ireland and Pakistan next month will archer miss out on gatecrashing England’s World Cup party when the final squad is named on May 22.
Yet England decided to delay the inevitable yesterday and kept faith with those who have been alongside captain Eoin Morgan on an extraordinary four-year journey to the top.
The 15 who drew 2-2 against West Indies earlier this year are selected, with archer and his friend Chris Jordan, the man who recommended him to England, added to the squad for the one- off game against Ireland and five matches against Pakistan.
So, archer will make his full debut in dublin on May 3 and will also play in the Twenty20 against Pakistan in Cardiff two days later as England give him as many chances as possible to find his feet after qualifying for the land of his father on March 17.
Tom Curran, liam Plunkett and Joe denly are the most at risk of losing their spot to the Barbadian-born archer when England’s ‘real’ World Cup squad is revealed.
national selector Ed Smith was at great pains to emphasise nothing is guaranteed. But it is clear how impressed England have been with a player who can provide captain Morgan with the all-important World Cup X-factor.
‘Jofra’s been selected for the first (England) cricket he can play,’ said Smith at lord’s yesterday. ‘The ICC stipulate we must name a provisional squad and we have complied with that, but we’ve used the advantage of having that series against Pakistan to expand our squad.
‘The selectors, captain and coach feel the best thing to do is give England the strongest possible expanded squad and make the most informed decision before the World Cup deadline. Jofra is an exceptional talent and his attributes warrant selection now.’
The great unknown is whether the most heralded introduction of a dual-national to the England side since graeme Hick in 1991 will disrupt the spirit that has been such a big part of the 50-over squad’s rise to the top.
and it is intriguing that three members of the bowling attack — starting with the spiky david Willey in the Caribbean and carrying on with the mild-mannered figures of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes — have questioned archer’s 11th-hour arrival. Smith is adamant there will be no problem accommodating archer, who is an unassuming and popular character.
‘Chris Woakes said specifically he did not think the inclusion of Jofra would disrupt the squad and that’s also the view of Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss,’ said Smith.
‘Mark Wood, another good team man, said, “I respect and admire my team-mates and it would be tough on any of them to miss out”. I have nothing against what they’ve said and Eoin and Trevor have a good handle on team culture.’
It is understandable England are so keen to fast-track archer not only into the World Cup but also the ashes later this summer, however unseemly the changes in the registration rules to accommodate him appear.
as a figure close to selection told Sportsmail: ‘He bowls in excess of 90mph at the death, which has been a weakness in our squad, can hit the ball miles and is an outstanding fielder. What’s not to like?’
But the man to miss out will undoubtedly be desperately unlucky. Curran is the most probable fall guy unless injury problems return to haunt Wood or Woakes.
The one certainty is that archer, a potentially exceptional cricketer, will make his debut at the start of England’s biggest ever summer in 50-over and Test cricket.
and he is one who might just prove the difference to their World Cup aspirations.