Archer set for World Cup squad
CRICKET EXCLUSIVE
ENGLAND are preparing to throw Jofra Archer straight into their World Cup squad without asking him to prove himself in international cricket. Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss must name a preliminary 15-man party by April 23 for marketing purposes and they confirmed yesterday they will reveal their hand at Lord’s next Wednesday. It was expected Archer, who qualified for England only last month, would miss out but would be named in an enlarged 17-man squad for the one-off international in Ireland next month and five 50-over matches against Pakistan that follow. Then the Sussex all-rounder would have effectively been on trial in six pre-World Cup matches. But, such is the enthusiasm for including the Barbadian-born Archer not only in the World Cup but also the Ashes that complete England’s biggest summer, the 24-year-old looks certain to be included in the main 15 next week. That would all but confirm Archer, who has an English father and a British passport, will be in the final squad that has to be named on May 22 ahead of a tournament that begins when England face South Africa at the Oval on May 30. Significant figures in the England set-up believe Archer can provide the X-factor and final piece in the jigsaw for Morgan’s side with his 90mph death bowling and the captain is believed to have been highly impressed by him on the Twenty20 franchise circuit. The only worry surrounding the move is the possible effect on the dynamic of a close-knit squad, particularly as one player who has contributed to England becoming the top-ranked team in world 50-over cricket will have to miss out. England are loath to leave out the left-arm swing of David Willey, while Tom Curran would be very unlucky to miss out after impressing in the Caribbean. That means the most vulnerable member of England’s squad could be Joe Denly, who is currently in possession of a place as an additional batsman and third spin option. England will name two extra players next week to face Pakistan and Ireland, and it looks as though they will be Denly and Chris Jordan, who impressed in the Twenty20 series against West Indies. But, for now, it seems Jordan’s friend and fellow Barbadian Archer will be fast-tracked.