- Archer has not played international cricket since last March due to elbow problems
- He will use a warm-up series with Pakistan to prove his World Cup fitness.
- Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett and Tom Hartley are included in the provisional squad
Jofra Archer was given the green light to go to the World Cup after being included in England’s provisional 15-man squad for both that tournament and the four-match T20 series against Pakistan that precedes it.
Archer, whose last international appearance was on March 14, 2023 in Bangladesh, has recovered from a long-term right elbow injury and will use the Pakistan series to prepare for England’s title defense in the Caribbean, starting on June 4. against Scotland in Barbados.
Jonny Bairstow also features in the 15, along with Ben Duckett, England’s only top-order left-hander.
Lancashire player Tom Hartley, who recently shone during his first Test tour of India, is the only player in the team who has not been restricted to T20 level.
Surrey’s Will Jacks, fresh from a 41-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, is the only other member of the team who has not featured in a World Cup before.
Jofra Archer has been named in England’s provisional 15-man squad ahead of the World Cup
The fast pace bowler has been plagued by elbow problems for several years now.
England have called up Chris Jordan for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean
Jordan, Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone with the trophy after England’s World Cup victory
As reported on Monday, Chris Jordan is called up to the team at the age of 35 after his Surrey teammate Jamie Overton suffered a back injury.
The team members currently involved in the IPL will return in time for the Pakistan series, which begins in Headingley on May 22 and spans four matches in nine days.
England will then fly to Barbados on May 31 and play four group matches (their other three opponents are Australia, Oman and Namibia) split between Bridgetown and Antigua’s North Sound.
Assuming they qualify, they will face three Super Eight matches in a bid to reach the quarter-finals and defend the title they won in Australia at the end of 2022.
