Jofra Archer on Trevor Bayliss' Mind as England Look to Pick 15-Man Squad for 2019 World Cup

The ranked no.1 team in the world, England, recently lost the fifth ODI against the Windies by seven wickets. As they drew the five-match series 2-2, coach Trevor Bayliss has dropped a hint of adding Jofra Archer to the side for the home World Cup. Not only this, but he also suggested the Barbados all-rounder could be in line to get picked for the Pakistan ODIs, just before the mega event.

Trevor hints of adding Archer to 2019 World Cup squad

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match on Saturday, Bayliss said, the chances of Archer getting included in England’s provisional squad for the mega event is less. However, by the time the 15-man squad will get announced, Jofra could well be roped in. Meanwhile, England will take on South Africa on May 3oth at the Kennington Oval, London in the World Cup opener.

In the case of Jofra Archer, he was born in Barbados but had a British passport as well. As per the ECB’s residency qualification period – which has altered from seven years to three years; Archer could benefit out of it. As by the time the English season begins, he will complete 210 days on the English soil in the past one year and thus can be available for selection.

Meanwhile, the ICC had kept April 23rd as the date for all the teams to name their provisional squads for the World Cups. Though by May 22nd, all ten countries will have to announce their last 15, Trevor Bayliss believes the future of Jofra Archer could well get settled. Also, England is due to face Pakistan in the ODIs before the cricket’s showpiece event which will also help the picture to get cleared.

“We’ve got to have the squad in by April 23, but there’s a month after that to change it,” Bayliss said. “There’s the Pakistan series before then, so we’ll have discussions about whether he plays, because the absolute final date [for the squad] is May 22.”

Jofra’s presence will boost England’s squad

Though Jofra’s credentials in the 50-over cricket are limited, he has been an excellent T20 player. He had been playing franchise cricket all over the world. With the ball in hand, he is quick – he knows how to bowl yorkers, lethal bouncers and is handy in death overs as well. As a batsman, he owns a reputation of striking the ball hard an long at any stage in an innings.