LONDON, CMC – Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer capped off a meteoric rise when he was Tuesday selected in England’s final 15-man squad for the World Cup starting month end.
The 24-year-old, who holds a British passport through his father and only became eligible for selection in March, has played just three One-Day Internationals – all earlier this month – but bowled with pace and movement which convinced selectors of his quality.
Chairman of selectors, Ed Smith, said the decision to include Archer had been “straightforward”.
“Archer does bring different things to the squad. We saw that in advance and when he has had an opportunity in an England shirt he has shown what he is capable of,” he said.
“He’s a special cricketer. He has pace, athleticism, dynamism and he can get you a wicket in any circumstances. There was a broad desire for him to be in the squad.”
Archer’s possible inclusion in the squad had sparked widespread debate in recent weeks. While several former England cricketers like Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff argued for his inclusion, some members of the current England ODI squad had urged caution.
Seamer Chris Woakes was quoted as saying it would be “unfair morally” for Archer to be included and a settled member of the squad to miss out.
Smith, however, said the selection panel had no such fears about any negative impact arising from Archer’s inclusion.
“Clearly it will not affect team spirit,” he stressed.
“We’ve seen Jofra Archer play for England in the last few weeks against Pakistan, we’ve seen the skills and quality he has and seen the team perform with Archer in the squad – the success of the team carried on and I don’t see that changing.”
Archer turned his attention to representing England after playing a handful of matches for West Indies Under-19s back in 2013 but then being ignored for the ICC Youth World Cup the following year.
Snapped up by Sussex, Archer made an instant impact at the club. In his first full season in 2017, he snatched 61 wickets and scored 638 runs to earn the club’s Player-of-the-Year and Young Player-of-the-Year awards.
Lucrative deals in the Australian Big Bash in the Indian Premier League followed, propelling the speedster from literal obscurity into the international spotlight.
Archer is now expected to form a lethal new-ball pairing with Mark Wood for the May 30 to July 14 World Cup where England will begin their campaign as the world’s number one ODI side and heavy favorites.
He was one of two changes announced on Tuesday with Hampshire left-arm spinner Liam Dawson included at the expense of Joe Denly.
England host South Africa in the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the Oval on May 30.
