Archer in England\'s World Cup squad as Willey and Denly miss out

Archer in England's World Cup squad as Willey and Denly miss out

AFP  |  London 

Jofra Archer's late bid for an place was rewarded when the fast bowler was named in hosts England's 15-man squad for the tournament announced Tuesday.

He edged out left-arm quick David Willey, a veteran of 46 ODIs, after both pacemen featured during England's 4-0 series win at home to which concluded Sunday.

There was no place also in a squad, again captained by Eoin Morgan, for back-up spinner and batsman Joe Denly, with Hampshire slow left-armer -- who did not feature against -- recalled as cover for Adil Rashid, who is nursing a shoulder problem.

Both Denly and Willey were named in England's provisional squad, as was opener

came in after England decided against selecting Hales following the Nottinghamshire batsman's ban for recreational drug use.

England reduced their qualification period from seven years to three, a move they insisted was solely to bring them into line with the rest of the world rather than advance the selection of paceman -- whose father is English.

Even though Willey offered a different angle of attack as the only left-arm quick in contention, Archer's ability to bowl at 90 mph -- and his variety of slower balls -- has seen him get the nod.

Willey, who has helped England climb to the top of the ODI rankings following their first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup, was among those who questioned the prospect of playing for England at this year's edition when the quick became eligible in March.

"It's a group of players that have been together for three or four years that have got us to number one," said Willey, the son of former England batsman

"And there's a reason for that. Whether someone should just walk in at the drop of a hat because they are available, whether that's the right thing, I don't know." England are bidding to win for the first time.

They now have two warm-up matches, against in on Saturday and at The Oval on Monday before launching the tournament against at The Oval on May 30.

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First Published: Tue, May 21 2019. 14:56 IST