2019 World Cup: Jofra Archer must feature for England this summer, insists Devon Malcolm
Jofra Archer is simply too good to leave out of England’s squad for this summer’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, according to former bowler Devon Malcolm.
Archer has gone from relative unknown to hot prospect in just two years, with performances for Sussex leading to lucrative contracts in Big Bash and the Indian Premier League.
An England cap has yet to come his way having qualified for the country earlier this year – but Malcolm is confident his time is within touching distance.
As a 50-cap England international, Malcolm is no stranger to speed having produced one of the greatest spells of fast bowling in cricket, taking nine for 57 against South Africa at the Oval in 1994.
Nearly 25 years on and the 56-year-old is liking what he sees in Barbados-born Archer, believing his pace is worth captain Eoin Morgan redressing his World Cup plans.
“The England one-day side has been pretty settled for the past 18 months to two years,” said Malcolm, speaking in Derby as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan.
“They have been winning everything. It’s down to Eoin Morgan as the leader of the side. He knows how settled his side is.
“If Jofra Archer is available he is too good a player to leave out of the squad. He has got to be in there.
“He is such a quick bowler you can use him to open the bowling or he is brilliant at bowling at the death. If you need a wicket he is a man you can call on. I would love to be in Morgan’s position where he has that luxury.
“It will be good for him to get in the set-up, do some practice with the boys because it can be daunting on the stages whether you are going out at Lord’s or in front of the home fans in a full-house.”
England play Ireland and Pakistan before the tournament, with official warm-up matches against Australia and Afghanistan completing their preparations for a home World Cup which they enter as heavy favourites.
But for Malcolm there is no time to waste before getting Archer – who has only played 14 50-over matches in his career – in and around the international setup.
Expectations are high for the world’s No 1 ranked side and with their wait for a men’s World Cup win now stretching to 44 years, there’s an itch they simply must scratch.
“If you don’t know it or have not had time with your teammates, if you’re nervous it can impact on your performance,” added Malcolm of the Sussex superstar.
“He is very talented and I think he backs his talent. When you’re playing around the world, as one of the overseas players as one of several stars, it is a different type of pressure.
“I promise you this type of competition, the World Cup, you can choke or get nervous if you do not get him into the fold pretty quickly. They should let him know he is going to be in the squad, he needs to starting coping with it and train with them.
“He will need to get acquainted with the rest of the team. He will be coming into the squad with guys who he is trying to knock out of the England side.”
The ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, commences its 100-day tour of England and Wales and will be at over 100 locations and events before arriving back in London ready for the opening match on 30 May
