Morgan says Archer is up for challenge of playing against his old pals... just as he was

EOIN MORGAN expects Jofra Archer to rise to the challenge of facing his fellow countrymen today and reaffirm his decision to switch to England.

With Mark Wood struggling with his chronic left ankle problem, Barbados-born Archer will lead the pace attack against a West Indies side containing some of his old Under-19 team-mates.

Morgan knows what Archer is going through, having played in a World Cup for Ireland (right, bottom) before captaining England three tournaments later (right, top).

It is no coincidence that players often turn in their best performances against those they know well.

Morgan averages 67 against Ireland, while Kevin Pietersen hit three ODI hundreds off South Africa to announce himself as an England player.

“Every challenge he has come up against so far he has come out the other side really well,” said Morgan. “So let’s just see how it goes.

“Being in that position myself it does feel different playing against a side you could potentially have played for.

“It is a moment where you reaffirm your decision. The difference is the feel when you play against guys you’ve played with at age-group level. “It’s great that he’s in an England shirt now. He won’t know how it feels until he plays the game. I’m sure he will handle it like he’s handled everything else in the tournament so far.” Like Graeme Hick did against his native Zimbabwe in 1992, Archer is facing West Indies for the first time in a World Cup. And despite their desire to play down the significance, West Indies captain Jason Holder let slip the agony being felt over failing to pick and then losing such a talent. “I have seen Jofra over the years,” said Holder. “He’s grown up in Barbados so what I’m seeing doesn’t surprise me. “He always had ability and talent. It is just unfortunate how things went in terms of his decision-making.”