Archer still on target for Cup

EXCITING Hobart Hurricanes all-rounder Jofra Archer has described his maiden England call-up as overwhelming after being given the chance to audition for a leading role at the World Cup.

The Barbados-born fast bowler, who has a British passport through his English father, was not named in the provisional 15-man squad for the tournament, with national selector Ed Smith and his panel preferring to stick with the tried and trusted names that have elevated England to top spot in the 50-over rankings.

But both Archer and Chris Jordan have been offered the opportunity to play their way into the reckoning ahead of the final deadline on May 23.

The pair will have a maximum of seven games to make their respective cases, having been picked for the one-off match against Ireland followed by a Twenty20 and five ODIs against Pakistan.

Perform well and they could find themselves parachuted in, leaving the likes of Tom Curran, David Willey and Liam Plunkett looking over their shoulders.

Archer has attracted considerable interest since the England and Wales Cricket Board altered their qualification process, reducing the residency period from seven to three years, just in time for him to be eligible. His glittering reputation as a star of the T20 franchise circuit, not to mention his ability to clear 140km/h, has seen him touted as a potential matchwinner for England.

Archer has been mostly silent throughout but reacted emotionally when given the call.

“It feels really overwhelming. It’s hard to put the feeling into words,” the 24-year-old said.

“I didn’t expect to ever be good enough to play for England until the last couple of years after I started doing well in T20 tournaments and it’s been a whirlwind period for me. I honestly thought I’d have to wait a couple more years before I would be in contention for the full squad.”