Skipper hints England set to gamble over pair
Morgan admits England could be willing to gamble with the fitness of Jason Roy and Jofra Archer in today’s crunch World Cup clash against India. Roy’s domineering style has been sorely missed at the top of the order since he tore a hamstring while fielding against the West Indies, while leading wicket-taker Archer is still managing a nagging problem in his left side. Morgan made it clear neither man needed to be 100% fit to make the XI, a nod to the importance of a game England must win if they are to keep qualification for the semi-finals in their own hands.
Roy looks almost certain to play having missed three matches with a torn hamstring, with his stock at an all-time high in light of James Vince’s poor form as understudy.
The Surrey man has been back in full training and only an unexpected adverse reaction on matchday would scupper his chances. Archer has been everpresent so far but is also a concern. He went through a solo session of gentle middle practice, overseen by pace coach Chris Silverwood and team doctor Mark Wotherspoon, before bowling leg-spin in the nets.
A judgment call will need to be made and Morgan accepted there would be an element of risk.
Asked whether England would take a chance on Roy, he said: “If it was going to rule him out long term, absolutely not. If it was going to rule him out for a couple of weeks, yes.
“Jason is preparing to play. Providing he gets through practice and morning unscathed, we think that he might be fit to play.” Archer will be subject to an identical equation, meaning England would theoretically be willing to put the pair’s tournament in doubt if it helped keep the team alive in the competition. “The exact same rule applies,” he said.
“If it’s going to rule him out long term, no. If it’s going to be short term, yes. It’s the same thing he’s played with the last three games, so we’ll see how he comes through.”
Liam Plunkett stands by if Archer misses out, with Tom Curran also on hand as he awaits a first World Cup cap. England would have liked to be in the rest and rotation phase by now, but defeats to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia have left them vulnerable.
Morgan has called for a brave response and is confident his team will not be found lacking in that regard. “We need to show a huge amount of positivity in the way we play and back it up with the courage to play that way,” he said.
“We’ve spent four years playing one way. Because of our positivity we’ve made it look easy at times and it hasn’t looked courageous because of that. It only looks courageous when it looks challenging from the outside.”
Pakistan last night leapfrogged England in the World Cup standings, as Imad Wasim’s 49 not out steered the 1992 champions to a thrilling three-wicket win over Afghanistan at Headingley.
Pakistan had lurched from 121 for three to 156 for six in pursuit of 228 on a dry track offering plenty of turn but Imad, fortunate not to given out on one, held his nerve to get his side over the line with two balls to spare. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side therefore move into the top four of the standings. However, England could move back above them if they defeat
nIndia at Edgbaston today.
Thirty-eight of Afghanistan’s overs came from their turners, but Pakistan just about held their nerve to overhaul their Asian neighbours’ 227 for nine. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja’s dogged 88 and a five-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc steered Australia to an 86-run victory over rivals New Zealand at Lord’s.
Trent Boult bagged the Black Caps’ first ever World Cup hat-trick, but that masterful final-over treble wound up a mere footnote amid this tournament’s latest botched run chase.
Starc claimed five wickets for 26 runs in another fine exhibition of seam bowling to punish the below-par New Zealand batting.
Australia’s seventh win in eight matches pushed them three points clear of India at the top of the standings, with just South Africa left to play in the round-robin stage.