The Scotsman

Archer makes his mark with World Cup selection but no place for Willey in England’s squad

- By STEVE DOUGLAS

Jofra Archer has been rewarded for impressing in his early auditions on the internatio­nal stage by getting a late call-up to England’s squad for the Cricket World Cup, as David Willey’s worst fears were realised.

Archer, an exciting pace bowler capable of deliveries regularly above 90mph, took advantage of a recent change in English cricket’ s eligibilit­y rules that allows players to be picked after three years of residency instead of seven. The 24- year-old from Barbados wasn’t included in an enlarged provisiona­l squad named by England last month but made enough of an impact in the three warm-up games he played in recent weeks – one against Ireland and two in the five-match series against Pakistan.

“I’m ready,” said Archer, pictured, who has made his name in Twenty20 cricket, notably with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. “I’ve played a lot of cricket. I know how to deal with pressure, crowds.”

National selector Ed Smith said it was a“pretty straightfo­rward” decision to select Archer, adding: “He’s an outstandin­g talent, that’s clear to all of us. He has pace, bounce, skill.”

Willey, who has been dropped from the provisiona­l squad to make way for Archer, previously voiced his concerns about Archer being parachuted in despite limited involvemen­t in the four-year cycle between World Cups.

“It’s a group of players that have been together for three or four years now that have got us to No 1,” Willey, who has been a key member of England’ s bowling attack, said in March. “And there’s a reason for that. Whether someone should just walk in at the drop of a hat because they’ re available, whether that’ s the right thing, I don’t know.”

Will eyre acted to being dropped by tweeting: “What can I say, I’m absolutely gutted. Still 100 per cent behind the lads.”

Archer downplayed any fears his call-up would cause any friction in the squad, saying he had been welcomed “with open arms” by teammates for the three matches he played.

Joe Denly also had his World Cup dreams dashed when the final squad was announced, losing his place to slow leftarmer Liam Dawson.

Smith said that decision was made largely to cover for premier spinner Adil Rashid having a “little niggle” in his shoulder.

“Hopefully he’ll be fine and he plays a full part in the competitio­n, but that slightly tilts things towards spin bowling cover as a priority,” Smith said.

Dawson played the last of his three one-day internatio­nal sin October and was not involved in the just-finished 4-0 series win over Pakistan.

Denly was lined up as a utility option, a flexible batsman and a late-blooming leg spinner, but England used him sparingly as a bowler against Pakistan. Coach Trevor Bayliss admitted Dawson’s left-arm spin is more reliable and a strong show in leading Hampshire to the English One-day Cup final pushed him over the line. England World Cup squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

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