England have confirmed the chance for 'talented' and 'exciting' Jofra Archer to stake his claim for a World Cup place by naming him in their squads to face Ireland and Pakistan.
National selector Ed Smith revealed the 15 man preliminary World Cup squad at Lord's, Chris Woakes claims Jofra Archer World Cup selection would be 'morally unfair' with Archer and Chris Jordan added to the list for the Pakistan series.
It means that the Barbados born 24-year-old could have a maximum of six one day caps under his belt before going into a World Cup that England are hot favourites to win.
Despite having an English father and a British passport, the Sussex fast bowler was still required to complete a three year residency qualification for England after representing the West Indies U19 team back in 2013.
Now that he is available, England have picked him at the first available opportunity and he has the chance to try and replicate his T20 franchise brilliance on the international stage.
Chris Woakes claims Jofra Archer World Cup selection would be 'morally unfair'
“The selection panel has been impressed with Jofra Archer’s performances in domestic and franchise cricket,” said Smith. “He is a very talented and exciting cricketer.
“In line with ICC regulations, we have to name a preliminary squad of 15 for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup before April 23.
“However, all 17 players named in the Royal London ODIs against Pakistan can stake a claim to be in the final 15-man squad, finalised at the end of that series.
“Chris Jordan, a regular in IT20 squads over the past few years, has continued to develop as a cricketer – as we saw in the IT20s in the West Indies. He fully deserves his return to the ODI squad.”
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England have also added Sam Billings and James Vince to the Ireland squad and the Pakistan T20 that follows so that they can rest their IPL stars, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, with Chris Woakes also rested.
The focus though over the next month will be on whether Archer can do enough to force his way into the final 15 that will be named on May 22, just three days before their warm up game with Australia at the Ageas Bowl.
There has already been some disquiet from the current crop of bowlers including Woakes, David Willey and Mark Wood over his possible inclusion, but those grumbles will fall on deaf ears should Archer produce some scintillating form.
Moreover Archer has the ability to bowl very fast indeed, a rare commodity in the global game and a huge asset when it comes along.
England's bowling has done enough over the past four years to help them win matches and reach No.1 in the world but their seam bowling has been the weakest link in the side throughout that period, and Archer could simply strengthen it.
Smith added: “With regard to resting players, we are conscious of managing player workloads leading into such an important summer so that players are in the best possible condition for the World Cup.
That was also a factor in the way we have selected these three squads.”
England preliminary 15-man ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Squad
Morgan (c), Ali, Bairstow, Buttler, Curran, Denly, Hales, Plunkett, Rashid, Root, Roy, Stokes, Willey, Woakes, Wood.
Englan 17-man squad versus Pakistan ODIs
Morgan (c), Ali, Archer, Bairstow, Buttler, Curran, Denly, Jordan, Hales, Plunkett, Rashid, Root, Roy, Stokes, Willey, Woakes, Wood.
England 14-man squad versus Ireland ODI and Pakistan NatWest IT20
Morgan (c), Archer, Billings, Curran, Denly, Jordan, Hales, Plunkett, Rashid, Root, Roy, Vince, Willey, Wood.
England World Cup fixtures
- May 30 - South Africa (The Oval)
- June 3 - Pakistan (Trent Bridge)
- June 8 - Bangladesh (Cardiff)
- June 14 - West Indies (Southampton)
- June 18 - Afghanistan (Old Trafford)
- June 21 - Sri Lanka (Headingley)
- June 25 - Australia (Lord's)
- June 30 - India (Edgbaston)
- July 3 - New Zealand (Chester-le-Street)
