Jofra Archer on Tuesday was included in England's final 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup starting on May 30.
Archer was included in the squad in the series against Pakistan where he showed his potential in the 50-over format. He picked up three wickets at an average of 36. Joe Denly and David Willey, meanwhile, failed to make the cut.
The prospect of Archer playing at the World Cup has caused concern among several more established England rivals for a pace-bowling berth including Chris Woakes, David Willey and Mark Wood, amid suggestions his inclusion could damage team morale.
Woakes had even said that fast-tracking him into England's provisional World Cup squad would not “be fair morally”.
Barbados-born Archer -- described by England all-rounder Ben Stokes as the most “naturally-gifted” bowler he has seen -- became eligible for England earlier this year.
The 24-year-old Sussex bowler -- whose father is English -- was the only high-level player to benefit when the England and Wales Cricket Board decided in November to alter residency rules.
Previously, players who entered the UK after turning 18 needed to live in the country for seven years to be eligible for England, but the ECB reduced that to three years. Archer arrived in 2015.
England, top of the ODI rankings, is seeking its first men's World Cup title following three losing appearances in the final -- the last in 1992.
ENGLAND FINAL SQUAD: Eoin Morgan (c), 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
Comments
Follow Us
SHARE