Eoin Morgan Cautions Against Adding Jofra Archer Midway in Men’s ODI WC
Former England captain Eoin Morgan advises against rushing Jofra Archer into the 2023 ICC World Cup team, citing fitness concerns.
Former Captain Eoin Morgan Advises Caution in Considering Jofra Archer for Men’s ODI World Cup
Eoin Morgan, the former captain of the England cricket team, has issued a word of caution to England’s management regarding the inclusion of Jofra Archer in the squad midway through the 2023 ICC World Cup. Morgan emphasized that it would be “naive” to hastily introduce Archer, who has not played a match since May, into the lineup.
Jofra Archer played a pivotal role in England’s triumph in the 2019 ODI World Cup, especially with his thrilling Super Over performance against New Zealand at Lord’s. He also emerged as the team’s top wicket-taker during the competition. However, since then, the Barbados-born fast bowler has been plagued by numerous fitness issues, frequently requiring treatment and rehabilitation. His last competitive appearance was in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May.
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Morgan, who currently serves as a World Cup ambassador, expressed reservations about the idea of Archer’s immediate return, stating, “It’s not something I believe would be wise. He hasn’t played recently, and we don’t have a clear picture of his current capabilities. While reports from his training sessions with the team suggest he’s bowling excellently, it’s essential to witness his performance in an actual match. Given his recent injury struggles, it would be unwise to throw him into the mix without proper consideration.”
Jofra Archer is set to rejoin the England squad in Mumbai next week, where he will serve as the team’s designated reserve player for the tournament. During England’s recent ODI series against New Zealand, Archer participated in training sessions to demonstrate his bowling prowess. Additionally, he has been actively engaged in bowling practice sessions at Hove as part of his rehabilitation process.
Morgan also downplayed the likelihood of Archer making an immediate appearance, noting, “For him to make a comeback, there would need to be a substantial injury among our bowlers. We’re only one week into the tournament, so it would require a significant injury sidelining a bowler for approximately six weeks to consider Archer’s inclusion.”