No Jofra Archer as England announce provisional squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Jofra Archer to travel to India for the World Cup as a travel reserve.

England have announced their provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 but left out the ace pacer bowler Jofra Archer owing to his fitness issues. England will play the opening match of the tournament in Ahmedabad against New Zealand on October 5, 2023.

With their initial roster for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, England has made a number of significant selections, with all-rounder Ben Stokes being selected, leaving out teenage batter Harry Brook apart from Archer.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Stokes had taken back his retirement from 50-over cricket and would play in the four-match ODI series against New Zealand that begins next month.

Luke Wright, England selector, later confirmed that the World Cup provisional roster included the same 15 players selected to face the Kiwis.

Archer, who led England in wickets when they won the event four years ago and sealed their victory in the championship match with a calm Super Over, has been sidelined with an elbow stress fracture this year and hasn’t played since the IPL.

Wright said that England was “desperate” for him to be fit but that they were reluctant to “force him into playing” ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

“There has got to be a duty of care with Jof. We know how desperate we all are to have him – there’s no doubt about that – but we’ve also got to get it right for him. He’s been very unfortunate with these injuries… regarding the World Cup, unfortunately, we’re just running out of time.” said Luke Wright

He’s not going to come around quite quickly enough, especially for the first part of the World Cup. There is a duty of care with him. We have to make sure that long-term, we get it right because we see him as a huge asset for a long time. As much as the temptation is to try and rush him in and get him in for the start of this World Cup, unfortunately, we’re just going to run out of time,” Wright was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

England selector Luke Wright has confirmed that Archer will only travel to India as a traveling reserve.

Gus Atkinson added in England squad, Harry Brook misses out

Apart from Jofra Archer, one major name missing out is that of Harry Brook, who seemingly missed out due to the return of Ben Stokes.

As many as nine players from the 2019 team retain their spots. Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes were part of the England team that won their maiden ODI World Cup.

It is worth noting that the deadline to name the provisional squad is September 5, while changes can be made until September 28.

England’s provisional squad for the World Cup: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.

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