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Don't want to step on anyone's toes: Archer

Exciting English allrounder understands the potentially difficult situation if he is rushed into World Cup squad

Jofra Archer did his best to take the heat out of a potentially awkward situation with his new England teammates after a quicker-than-expected call-up put him on course for a place in the hosts' World Cup squad.

The uncapped dynamic allrounder was included Wednesday in a 17-man squad for next month's one-day internationals against Pakistan and Ireland.

The Barbados-born rising star was, however, left out of the 15-man preliminary World Cup squad.

The Sussex paceman could still have as many as six one-day internationals - one against Ireland and five against Pakistan as well as a Twenty20 against Pakistan - to force his way in before the final World Cup squad deadline of May 23.

"I don't want to step on anyone's toes, the squad selected for the World Cup deserve it and my job is to do my very best against Pakistan," said 24-year-old Archer who has an English father and holds a British passport.

He completed a three-year qualification period on March 17 after the England and Wales Cricket Board changed its residency rules.

Under the previous system, he would not have been eligible until 2022 after a seven-year residency.


The prospect of Archer playing at the World Cup has caused concern among several more established England rivals for a pace-bowling berth including Chris Woakes, David Willey and Mark Wood, amid suggestions his inclusion could damage team morale.

"Of course I want to play in the World Cup, but if it doesn't happen for me I'm not going to get upset," Archer added.

"I'm going to give it my best shot. I've worked pretty much all my life for this moment and I just want to tackle it and put my best foot forward."

He added: "I was fully prepared in my mind that it was going to be a seven-year job. When I found out I was qualified more quickly it was obviously a bit of a shock but also exciting."

"It feels really overwhelming. I didn't expect to ever be good enough to play for England until the last couple of years after I started doing well in T20 tournaments and it's been a whirlwind period for me."

Archer nabs three for Hurricanes

Warwickshire allrounder Woakes, asked about the possibility of Archer playing at the World Cup, said Tuesday: "It probably wouldn't be fair, morally, but at the same time it's the nature of international sport."

Archer and another Barbados-born Sussex player, Chris Jordan, were both added to the 15-man squad that played a one-day series in the West Indies earlier this year.

A 145kph bowler, excellent fielder and aggressive batsman, Archer has been impressing in the Indian Premier League, taking 3-15 for the Rajasthan Royals – where his teammates include England's Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes – against Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday.

Stokes recently described Archer as one of the most "naturally gifted" bowlers he had seen and England chief selector Ed Smith told reporters at Lord's: "Jofra Archer is a very exciting cricketer and there was a broad desire to give him the opportunity to play for England before the World Cup before we make the final decision in just over a month."

As for Woakes' comments, former England batsman Smith added: "He said specifically he did not think the inclusion of Jofra Archer would disrupt the squad, that's also the view of the captain, Eoin Morgan, and (coach) Trevor Bayliss."

England, top of the ODI rankings, are seeking their first men's World Cup title following three losing appearances in the final – the last in 1992.

The World Cup is set to begin with England's match against South Africa at The Oval on May 30.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE