McILROY’S TOUR THUMBS-UP IS A TICKET TO RYDER
RYDER CUP Paceman Archer shows again what an asset he can be for England’s World Cup glory bid
RORY McILROY has handed captain Padraig Harrington a massive Ryder Cup boost by committing himself to the European Tour.
McIlroy had spooked Europe’s hierarchy by questioning publicly whether he would remain a Tour member this year to concentrate his attention on JOFRA ARCHER’S team-mates believe he is a “class act” who will make England a better team.
Only 19 overs were possible at the Oval as the first one-dayer against Pakistan was washed out, but not before Archer (left) again sent a spark of electricity through the crowd with 24 balls of magic that included the wicket of Fakhar Zaman caught at slip.
So far he is everything the England selectors hoped he would be, giving Eoin Morgan a pace option every international captain wished they had. These days genuine quicks like Archer are as rare as comebacks from 3-0 down against Barcelona, but when they arrive they must simply be enjoyed and appreciated.
Archer claimed 1-6 as Pakistan reached 80-2 with Liam Plunkett (right) taking the other wicket before the heavens opened with hail as well as rain.
The debate over whether Archer should be part of England’s World Cup plans has now shifted to who will make way for him, not just in the squad, but in the starting XI.
“Jofra is a class act,” said Plunkett. “He showed it again today, he rocked up America. But the Florida-based Northern Irishman is understood to have sent his membership form in just before the deadline last week.
And he is now set to play at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in September, the event which will signal the start of the race to make the team that will defend the title at Whistling Straits in 2020. and bowled really nicely with pace and smashed the right areas and picked up the wicket.
“Pace is always good to watch. It looks quite easy for him, he just ambles in and bowls 93mph and makes it look effortless. “Pace is exciting. You can see from the Test series in the West Indies that when Mark Wood was bowling rockets, you don’t see that day-in, day-out, so when someone is bowling quick to have that buzz about them it is nice to have. “With him in your squad you’re going to be a better team. Whoever is bowling best should be in the squad. “If it wasn’t Jofra, it would The decision means all McIlroy’s points in the yearlong qualification process will count and that the World No.4 will not find himself having to play catch-up in 2020.
McIlroy will also play at the Scottish Open, European Masters and DP World Tour Championship in July to meet the four-event minimum for Tour membership which be someone else knocking on the door, there is always going to be someone there or thereabouts.”
Plunkett is one of the bowlers competing for those World Cup spots and although he has not quite hit his straps yet, he still has the knack of taking wickets.
He has been England’s most successful seamer since the last tournament in 2015 and he had Babar Azam caught behind for 16.
Plunkett added: “You don’t want the rain, people have missed out today and they’ll be disappointed, but it is what it is. When you get the chance again you want to be your own selector and perform.
“I feel like I can get better, but if I’m picking up wickets I’m happy with that.” cannot include the Major Championships or World Golf Championship tournaments.
Harrington announced his intention to select just three wild cards – as opposed to the four named by predecessor Thomas Bjorn.
“A player is more comfortable when he has qualified,” said Harrington. “That’s my reasoning.”