ARCHER RIVALS’ TIME TO SHINE

Morgan backs pacemen

from DEAN WILSON in BARBADOS

EOIN MORGAN has urged his pacemen to show their worth before Jofra Archer tries to crash their World Cup party.

The England 50-over skipper refuses to be drawn on whether 23-year-old Archer (right) is likely to feature in his plans until he qualifies at the end of March.

But there is a big decision to be made. Do England gamble on a man with no international experience and just 14 List A games under his belt?

Or do they put their faith in the group of bowlers who have taken them to No.1 in the world, have a huge amount of experience and have won nine series in a row?

Focus

Former skipper Nasser Hussain has urged Archer’s inclusion, and the dilemma could become clearer following five one-day matches against the Windies.

“One of the best attributes I have is to compartmentalise things,” said Morgan on the eve of the first game in Barbados.

“Until Jofra qualifies, he’s not really in our thoughts. The focus for us is on this series.

“I think at the moment we are very lucky because we probably have only one injury to a guy who might have been involved in Olly Stone.

“He is capable of bowling 90mph along with Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood.

“The difference of having those guys is quite significant. You only had to watch the Test matches to see how valuable they are. Our bowlers have played a huge part in our success over recent matches and series and a guy like Liam has one of the best strike rates we’ve ever had.

“I wouldn’t say they are on trial in this series, but it is a chance for them to show what they can do.”

Morgan is happy enough to embrace England’s position as World Cup favourites, but knows it won’t win them a series in the Caribbean even if the home side have not won one since 2014.

He added: “West Indies will be a tough challenge and everyone in our dressing room knows that. It’s not an easy place to come and win, particularly when they have a lot of match-winners.

“We’ve spoken about being favourites and don’t mind the tag – we’ve learned to be at ease with it.”

The home side will have 39-year-old Chris Gayle back in action for today’s opening match while, at the other end of the scale, Jamaican pace star Oshane Thomas, 21, has played just four one-day internationals.

Skipper Jason Holder said: “It’s good to have Oshane Thomas, he’s an expressive young bowler who is pretty sharp, it will be good to see him bowl.”