DHAKA: England national selector Ed Smith announced the predicted provisional squad of 15 for the ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin on May 30.

Selector left the door open for Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan to force their way in during the five-match one-day international series against Pakistan which ends on May 19, before the ICC deadline on May 23.

Archer has pace which only Mark Wood in the squad can match, and has acquired widespread Twenty20 experience, but his selection would cause some dismay if not active resentment among existing squad members, reports the Telegraph.  

England need variety in their pace attack if they are to win the World Cup for the first time, and Archer can supply it with his range of skills - which include reverse swing at the end of an innings.

At least Archer has been playing for Rajasthan Royals alongside England ODI vice captain Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, who could help to reduce any resentment and smooth his way into the squad.

A slight surprise is the inclusion of a third spinner in Joe Denly, rather than Sam Billings who could act as a super sub fielder.

England have announced a separate squad for the preliminary ODI against Ireland and T20 game against Pakistan, so as to rest key players before the World Cup.

Commenting on the selection of the squads, National Selector Ed Smith, said: “In line with ICC regulations, we have to name a preliminary squad of 15 for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup before April 23. 

However, all 17 players named in the Royal London ODIs against Pakistan can stake a claim to be in the final 15-man squad, finalised at the end of that series. 

“The selection panel has been impressed with Jofra Archer’s performances in domestic and franchise cricket. He is a very talented and exciting cricketer.

“Chris Jordan, a regular in IT20 squads over the past few years, has continued to develop as a cricketer – as we saw in the IT20s in the West Indies. He fully deserves his return to the ODI squad.

“With regard to resting players, we are conscious of managing player workloads leading into such an important summer so that players are in the best possible condition for the World Cup. That was also a factor in the way we have selected these three squads.”

England's World Cup will kick-off at The Oval against South Africa on May 30.

England ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Squad:

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) and Mark Wood (Durham)

BDST: 1718 HRS, APR 17, 2019
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