Jofra Archer hasn’t been included in England’s preliminary 15-man squad, led by Eoin Morgan, for the upcoming world cup. The pacer, however, has been included, along with Chris Jordan, in the 17-member squad for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan, and will be in contention for a place in the World Cup side depending on his performance in the series against Pakistan. England will finalise their final 15-man World Cup squad after the Pakistan series, which comes to an end on May 19.
While the batting line-up, which has been the pillar of England’s ODI dominance in the last four years, has no surprises, the pace attack comprises of Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, David Willey and Tom Curran. The most surprising pick, however, is Joe Denly, who will serve as the back-up for the spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
The Barbados-born Archer, who completed his three-year qualification to become a British citizen on March 17, will be available for England selection for the first time. Archer, whose father is English, has a UK passport.
“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,” Ed Smith, ECB’s national selector, said on Wednesday. “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.
“The selection panel has been impressed with Jofra Archer’s performances in domestic and franchise cricket. He is a very talented and exciting cricketer,” Smith said.
Jordan, who has been out of the ODI side since September 2016, has come back in the reckoning after impressive performances against Sri Lanka and Windies in T20Is.
“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,” Smith said.
The selectors have also named a 14-man squad for the one-off ODI against Ireland and the T20I against Pakistan. In consultation with the England management team, they have rested Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes for the two series. Sam Billings and James Vince have been added to the squad for the Ireland match and the IT20 against Pakistan at Cardiff.
Chris Woakes has also not been included and will manage his workload while playing for Warwickshire. “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,” Smith said. “That was also a factor in the way we have selected these three squads.”
Preliminary squad for world cup: Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, David Willey
Squad for Pakistan ODIs:Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, David Willey, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan
Squad for Ireland ODI and Pakistan T20I: Eoin Morgan (c), Jofra Archer, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood
