Established 1961 25 Sports Wednesday, May 22, 2019 ‘Outstanding’ Archer picked in England’s World Cup squad Archer ready for challenge of a World Cup despite lack of international experience LONDON: England selection chief Ed Smith hailed ‘I’M READY’ fast bowler Jofra Archer as an “outstanding” talent after Archer said he was ready for the challenge of a including him in the tournament favourites’ World Cup World Cup despite his lack of international experi- squad yesterday. Barbados-born quick Archer only ence. “I’ve put it in my head I would have to wait sev- qualified for England in March and has played just en years, back in December they changed it a little but three one-day internationals for the host nation of the I was always prepared to wait,” the 24-year-old told showpiece event. Sky Sports. But he has now made it into the 15-man World Cup “I think I’m ready. I’ve played a lot of cricket, I know squad that Smith unveiled at Lord’s. He edged out left- how to deal with pressure, crowds, I think I’m ready.” arm quick David Willey, a veteran of 46 ODIs, after Even though Willey offered a different angle of attack both pacemen featured during England’s 4-0 series win as the only left-arm quick in contention, Archer’s ability at home to Pakistan, which concluded on Sunday. to bowl at 90 miles per hour (145 kilometres per hour) There was also no place in the squad, captained by and his variety of slower balls has seen him get the nod. Eoin Morgan, for back-up spinner and batsman Joe Willey was among those who questioned the Denly, with Hampshire slow left-armer Liam Dawson prospect of Archer playing for England at this year’s recalled as cover for Adil Rashid, who is nursing a World Cup when the Sussex bowler became eligible. shoulder problem. But Smith, who told Willey he had missed out on Both Denly and Willey were named in England’s pro- Monday, said: “I spoke to David, he’s an outstanding visional squad, as was opening batsman Alex Hales. But man. He’s very honest, dignified. He’s a very impressive James Vince, who featured against Pakistan, came in man and cricketer.” after England decided against selecting Hales following England now have two warm-up matches, against his ban for recreational drug use. Australia on Saturday and Afghanistan on Monday, England, bidding to win the World Cup for the before launching the tournament against South Africa first time, reduced their qualification period from at the Oval on May 30. seven years to three, a move they insisted was solely England World Cup squad: Eoin Morgan to bring them into line with the rest of the world (Middlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra rather than advance the selection of Archer, whose Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler father is English. (Lancashire, wkt), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson “We’ve seen Jofra Archer play against Pakistan and (Hampshire), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid LONDON: File photo shows England’s players pose with the series trophy after winning the fifth One Day we’ve seen the skills he has,” Smith told Sky Sports (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), International (ODI) cricket match between England and Pakistan at Headingley in Leeds, northern England on News. “It’s pretty straightforward. He’s an outstanding Ben Stokes (Durham), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris May 19, 2019. England beat Pakistan by 54 runs to win the fifth one-day international at Headingley.— AFP talent, that’s clear to all of us. He has pace, bounce, skill.” Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham). — AFP India’s Kohli says N Zealand veterans spurred World Cup will by 2015 World Cup failure WELLINGTON: After a surprise run year that raised doubts about their abili- be a hit for runs to the final of the 2015 Cricket World ty against top-class opposition and tem- Cup, New Zealand are quietly confident pered fans’ hopes for the World Cup. But MUMBAI: Cricket fans should expect a run they can again exceed expectations in the New Zealanders were insistent the bonanza at the ICC World Cup in England and their quest for a maiden title at this lopsided scoreline was misleading and Wales starting this month, India captain Virat year’s tournament. bounced back to beat India in a T20 Kohli said yesterday. Ahead of India’s depar- The Black Caps hope to shed their series. They enter the tournament ranked ture for the tournament, Kohli said local seam- tag as gallant losers after making the fourth in the world, behind England, ing conditions would likely favour batsmen. World Cup semi-finals six times then India and South Africa. “In ICC tournaments the pitches are going finally reaching the decider four years Former England captain Mike Gatting to be very good and it’s summer in the UK. ago, only to be soundly beaten by rates the New Zealanders second only We expect high-scoring games,” Kohli told a Australia. While Kane Williamson has to the host nation. “You can no longer press conference in Mumbai. England beat replaced Brendon McCullum as captain, call them dark horses as their players Pakistan 4-0 in a five-match warmup series the core of the team that came so close are so experienced,” he told The with nearly every game seeing innings of 350 to glory remains, giving the New Cricketer magazine. plus on grounds that will be used for the Zealanders powerful motivation for the “They play some great cricket, they World Cup. one-day showpiece that begins in always play as a team and they are well Kohli insisted, however, that World Cup MUMBAI: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli speaks during a press conference at the London on May 30. led by Kane Williamson. “Ross Taylor is pressure will bring down the totals. “A bilat- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) head office in Mumbai yesterday, ahead of the Boasting a strong batting line-up and also a fine batsman, and in Tim Southee eral series compared to a World Cup is very team’s departure for England to play in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. —AFP a bowling attack expected to flourish in and Trent Boult they have match-win- different, so you might see lot of 260-270 seam-friendly English conditions, the ning bowlers.” kind of games and teams successfully battle-hardened Black Caps are modest It is likely to be the final World Cup defending it because of the pressure factor,” who were less impressive in the IPL. Chahal bowling line-up.” but brimming with belief. “If we play for seamers Southee and Boult, as well said the skipper of India-one the favourites claimed 18 wickets for Kohli’s Royal The 10-team World Cup returns to a close to our potential, then hopefully we as veteran batsmen Taylor and Martin alongside England and Australia. Challengers Bangalore, but Yadav struggled round-robin format and Kohli said consisten- can do New Zealand proud,” said coach Guptill, giving the team extra motivation. Two-time winners India, who start with his left-arm wrist spin for Kolkata cy was the only way to make the semi-finals. Gary Stead. The Black Caps have a Guptill said indications were that it against South Africa in Southampton on Knight Riders. “Everyone has to be at their best game inten- strong one-day international record would be a high-scoring World Cup, June 5, feel they have a strong chance with a “In hindsight if you look at it, like Kuldeep, sity from the first match onwards and you since late 2017, including series white- suiting the Black Caps. “(I’ve got) a big potent pace bowling attack led by Jasprit who has had so much success, it’s important don’t have any room for complacency. washes against Pakistan, the West Indies, smile on my face,” he said. “They’re Bumrah. “We go into the World Cup feeling to see a period where things don’t go your “That’s why it’s the World Cup, the most Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. There was looking like some decent batting wick- very balanced and a strong side. You saw in way. And I am glad it happened during the important tournament in the world,” said also a tight 3-2 series loss to England, ets, which is nice for me.” Taylor, gearing the IPL (T20 series) , all the players that are IPL, rather than the World Cup,” said Kohli. Kohli, who compared the “intensity” to com- currently favourites to win the World up for his fourth World Cup campaign, in the squad are in great form and playing “He has time to reflect and correct things peting in football’s English Premier League or Cup on home turf. admitted the seven-wicket loss in the really well,” said Kohli. and come into the World Cup even stronger. Spain’s La Liga. England launch the tourna- Williamson’s men blotted their copy- 2015 final still stings and there is a desire India have some worries over their spin- We know the skill set he possesses along ment against South Africa at the Oval in book with a 4-1 loss to India earlier this to make amends. — AFP ners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, with Chahal. They are two pillars of our London on May 30. — AFP deputy Warner. Australia ‘pumped’ A buzzword of his now is “respect” and he took the able options in attack, with 19-year-olds Shaheen team to the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli on the Mercurial Pakistan Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain part of a pace as Smith and Warner way to England to learn about “humility and perspec- battery led by Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan.