Is Sport Is A True Meritocracy Archer Has To Be In World Cup

Derek Pringle outlines the skillset that makes England’s newly qualified paceman a must for selection in the World Cup squad.

Call off the audition, JofraArcher has got the part – a lead role in England’sWorld Cup campaign.What clinched it was his four overs in Wednesday’s rained-off game against Pakistan at the Oval.

Not since the great West Indies bowling attacks of the Eighties have I seen such athletic and effortless pace allied to such complete control. True, it was a nice grassy pitch to bowl on, but true class is obvious even in such helpful conditions.

Ignore the fact that Archer has not played much 50-over cricket or whether he deserves to infiltrate such a closeknit project as England’s World Cup squad, these are the concerns of the over-cautious. Top-level sport is about meritocracy and, for me, Archer offers more, potentially, than any England pace bowler currently playing except experience.

Those four overs against Pakistan at the Kia Oval, where his pace ranged from 88-93mph, cost just six runs. He even took the wicket of Fakhar Zaman, caught at second slip by Joe Root, the fielder juggling the ball as if it was freshly roasted chestnut and too hot to handle on such a cold day. Yet, Archer beat the bat often in those 24 balls and could easily have had more.

Anyone watching cannot fail to have been impressed. There have been bowlers who have flung it down at 90mph for England before but most, Steve Harmison and Tymal Mills the exceptions, have always strained to reach such velocity.

Such strain usually leads to injury, which in turn dilutes their impact through absence. Yet with Archer, the run-up and action, although wonderfully direct, unfurl so smoothly and naturally that it looks like he might still have top gear in hand.