Archer in line for place at World Cup EXCLUSIVE

England are considering fast-tracking Jofra archer into their World Cup plans before he has even made an international appearance.

Sportsmail understands that Barbados-born archer, who qualifies for England next month, is in line for a place in England’s World Cup squad and is also considered a legitimate option for the ashes this summer. England captain Eoin Morgan says a final decision will be taken on archer once his qualification is confirmed in late March and before the World Cup squad is named on april 23. But it is understood senior figures in English cricket are very keen to use archer, who bowls at 90mph-plus and is a big-hitting lower-middle order batsman, as soon as possible. If picked in the World Cup squad archer would only have the one-off game against Ireland in dublin on May 3 and

the five-match series against Pakistan that follows to acclimatise to international cricket before England open the World Cup against South Africa at the Oval on May 30. Morgan said: ‘Jofra comes with a big reputation. He’s an extremely talented young cricketer.’ ÷ Nottinghamshire bowler Harry Gurney returned an impressively economical 1-20 in his four overs as his Melbourne Renegades side claimed their first Big Bash League title. Melbourne Stars were set what looked an easy target of 146 to win but suffered a collapse to succumb to a 13-run defeat.