England hopeful Jofra’s selection is questioned by Woakes and rest of tight-knit squad ahead of World Cup

JOFRA ARCHER faces a battle on and off the pitch to claim his place at next month’s World Cup.

England will announce their initial squad of 15 at Lord’s today, with T20 pace star Archer and fellow Barbados-born star Chris Jordan expected to be named in an extended group to face Ireland and Pakistan next month. But fast bowler Chris Woakes claims it “wouldn’t be fair, morally” if Archer was parachuted into a settled team at the last moment.

“We’ve been a tight-knit group for the last two to three years, played some really strong cricket, won a lot of series,” said Woakes at a launch of ‘One Day 4 Children’ with the ICC and UNICEF.

“Apart from a personal level, I wouldn’t want to see any of my mates and team-mates miss out.

“But it’s the nature of international cricket that there is always someone knocking on the door.

“It probably wouldn’t be fair, morally, but at the same time it’s the nature of international sport.”

Woakes’ comments follow those of fellow England fast bowler Mark Wood, who questioned whether a late arrival like Archer could change the dynamic of the squad.

Left-arm seamer David Willey was just as nonplussed during the tour of the Caribbean when he said: “I’m not sure whether someone should just walk in at the drop of a hat because they’re available.” All of which leaves a huge amount of manmanagement for skipper Eoin Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss to cope with on the eve of a tournament.

England have suffered from making last-minute changes in the past, although Morgan is confident that he can handle the issues.

He said: “The situation will need managing and that will fall on myself and Trevor’s shoulders.

“But I don’t mind bearing the brunt of whatever challenge it might be.

“Managing progression is a matter of asking a couple of questions.

“Firstly, is the guy coming in bringing more than he is taking away? And secondly, is the culture reacting well to him?

“But any team that has a strong culture is normally extremely welcoming to anybody coming in who might help improve the performance.”

■ One Day 4 Children will be raising money at the England v India World Cup match on June 30 to help build a better world for every child.

“Apart from a personal level, I wouldn’t want to see any of my mates and team-mates miss out”