No1 ranked England have a fairly settled ODI unit with the 2019 ICC World Cup on home soil fast approaching but skipper Eoin Morgan is keeping the door open for a potential late call up for Jofra Archer.
The West Indies born pacer has been bidding to qualify for England ever since he moved there in 2015 and he is set to become eligible as early as the current year after the residency rules were tweaked recently by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
There still remains some uncertainty over the exact date on which Archer will become eligible for England selection but there remains hope that it could happen before the World Cup gets underway at the end of May.
The 23-year-old pacer has been turning heads with his performances in the various franchise T20 leagues across the globe and Morgan admitted that he remained on England’s radar for the World Cup.
Eoin Morgan will lead England in the 2019 World Cup.
“We are probably as close as we can be at the moment. We have to be open-minded in adjustments that need to be made, particularly in the fast-bowling department. Fast bowlers get injured, they pick up niggles,” Morgan was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“So the games in the West Indies, even to the extent that when we announce the squad, when we play games after that we’re still going to have to have replacements who are like-for-like. I’m happy with where we’re at.
“Jofra’s quite close to qualifying. I’ve played against him a lot, he’s in demand around the world and I think that’s justified because of the talent that he is and his performances, not only at Sussex, the IPL, Big Bash, he’s done some brilliant things. So again, we are open-minded to things. We’ll make a decision once he’s actually available.”
Searching for a maiden ICC World Cup crown in the 50-over format, hosts England will open their campaign against South Africa at the Oval on May 30.
