Jofra Archer will fly to India with England’s World Cup squad on Wednesday night amid a warning that a misfire on the timing of his return could have “serious ramifications”.
Archer, 28, is the one travelling reserve alongside a 15-man squad that is looking to defend its 50-over title over the next seven weeks, making it nine survivors from the victory in 2019 on tour. Though close to a return from injury, the back end of the tournament is the target.
The last setback for the fast bowler came in May with the diagnosis of a lower back stress fracture, the cruellest of blows after a two-year battle with stress fractures in his right elbow. As such the head coach, Matthew Mott, stressed the caution required with the England pace bowler.
“Where he’s coming from is to get some intensive work with our medical staff,” said Mott before England’s journey to Guwahati for warm-up matches against India and Bangladesh. “We have been very big on not rushing him back and that message has been clear to him. He understands, he’s desperate to play but he’s also realistic that if this thing happens again it could have serious ramifications.”
As well as a signoff from England’s medical staff, Archer’s late entry into the tournament would require an injury to an existing squad member and clearance from the World Cup’s technical committee. The same goes for Jason Roy, who has confirmed he will be on standby at home after the disappointment of missing out on the full squad.
Mott said: “It was never in question. [Jason] is very determined if an opportunity opens up again that he is on that plane. This time at home for him, if this opportunity does come up, will serve him well. We know you’ve got a proven performer you call on at any time.”
England are not without a couple of question marks fitness-wise before their curtain-raiser against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on 5 October – albeit among the bowlers, with Mark Wood and Adil Rashid missing the recent home series win over the Black Caps.
Mott has no concerns over Wood’s lack of game time since the fifth Ashes Test in July, a heel injury latterly to blame. His scorching late entry into that series after a three-month absence was offered as evidence his fitness can be built up off the field.
Rashid, meanwhile, suffered a calf injury in early September but was only just back from a four-month absence following a stress reaction in his lower back. “[Rashid] is fine physically,” said Mott. “He’s a very key player which is why we manage him well.”
Given the number of faces from four years ago, plus three more from the T20 World Cup win in Australia last year, England should head into the 10-team tournament among the leading contenders. Mott, who knows all about favourite status from his time coaching Australia’s all-conquering women’s side, is reading nothing into this.
“We don’t have any expectations,” he said. “There are a number of sides that go in there and expect they’ll contest the final. We are one of them. But I don’t look at it as defending champions. We go in with the same points as everyone else. India will be favourites in the minds of many people because of home advantage but that can go either way as well.”
