WE WON’T BOTTLE THE BIG CALL EXCLUSIVE
Morgan impressed by Archer but vows to make best decision for side
EnGLanD will not shy away from making tough decisions when they finalise their 15- man squad for this summer’s World Cup, according to captain Eoin Morgan. the preliminary party is named today, but it can be changed any time up to a week before the tournament starts on May 30 — with Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra archer the likeliest beneficiary.
archer will be included in a separate squad of 17 for next month’s five-match one- day series against Pakistan, and seems certain to force his way into the final World Cup party in time for England’s tournament opener against South africa at the Oval. that would mean leaving out one of the players chosen in the initial 15, with Liam Plunkett, tom Curran and Joe Denly among the vulnerable.
But Morgan (below), who has led his side to the top of the one-day rankings on the back of nine bilateral series wins in a row, insisted his players understand personal ambition comes second to England’s goal of winning their first 50-over World Cup.
‘i’ve never been at a selection meeting which hasn’t been difficult,’ he told
Sportsmail. ‘We’re trying to fit 18 or 19 guys into a 15- man squad: it’s extremely difficult, but it’s something the changing room are used to.
‘We’ll always make the best decision for the side to move forward and get better.’
the 24-year-old archer’s prospects have been enhanced by his skill in the death overs — one of the few areas in which England are yet to excel.
Playing for rajasthan royals in the iPL yesterday, he finished with figures of 4-0-15-3 against Kings Xi Punjab, including the wicket of Chris Gayle. Morgan admitted: ‘ the strongest point throughout his career
has been his t20 skills. i’ve played against him a lot in t20 cricket. His death bowling is outstanding and he bowls with pace.’ But archer’s shoehorning into the squad will not be without its complications. England have made late changes to World Cup plans before, usually without success, and disappointment lurks for whichever member of their bowling unit makes way. Speaking at an event to publicise the UniCEF charity’s #OneDay4Children initiative at the World Cup, all-rounder Chris Woakes told the BBC: ‘if he was to come in and someone was to miss out, it would be extremely unfortunate. it probably wouldn’t be fair, morally, but at the same time it’s the nature of international sport.’ Woakes took to twitter to complain that his words had been taken out of context. it is understood he intended to be loyal to team-mates who have been in the side during England’s journey from one-day also-rans to World Cup favourites — not critical of archer’s inclusion. Mark Wood likened the situation to the arrival of Colombia’s Faustino asprilla at newcastle United in 1996. they were top of the Premier League at the time, only to fall away. However, national selector Ed Smith will explain today that the door has been shut on anyone. the 50-over royal London One-Day Cup starts today, with the prize of a World Cup spot up for grabs should injury or form demand a change to the 15.