Alastair Cook says Jofra Archer should be included in England World Cup team

England name their final squad for the tournament on Tuesday.

Former captain Sir Alastair Cook says Jofra Archer should be fast-tracked into the England team at the forthcoming World Cup.

Barbados-born Archer qualified to play for England in March after a change in residency rules.

The 24 year-old fast bowler was not named in England’s preliminary 15-man group but is expected to make the cut when the final squad is confirmed on Tuesday.

England v Pakistan – Vitality IT20 – Sophia Gardens — Jofra Archer took the wicket of Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq in Cardiff (Simon Galloway/PA)

Speaking at the launch of OPPO’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ‘Shot Maker’ campaign, Cook said: “I think he comes into that side. Certainly into the squad and I think into most people’s side.

“We’ve seen glimpses and I think England have managed him quite well. We’re seeing the start of a guy who can bowl 90mph, has great skills at the death, and we haven’t even seen him bat yet – and the guy can bat!

“He’d be in my team, and unfortunately him arriving now means someone who has done a lot of work in the evolution of this side is going to miss out.”

Sir Alastair Cook at the launch of OPPO’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ‘Shot Maker’ campaign (James Robinson)

Willey and Curran, in particular, have been key men in an England squad which has risen to number one in the world rankings.

“It’s a great situation to be in as the captain, in terms of the competition for places,” added Cook.

England Nets Session – Trent Bridge — David Willey could be sweating on his World Cup place (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Those guys who miss out will have probably played a lot over the last few years and are going to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. But there’s no other way around it.”

Some observers are calling Eoin Morgan’s side England’s best ever in one-day cricket, but Cook feels they will need to win a maiden World Cup if they are to truly be seen as the greatest.

“It’s got to be up there, hasn’t it?” he said. “Some other very good England teams have got to World Cup finals but this one seems to have all bases covered.

“It’s also the first time England has pushed the boundaries and become the trend-setter. Other teams are now copying how England are going to play.

England v Pakistan – One Day International – Emerald Headingley — Eoin Morgan’s side go into the World Cup as favourites (Nigel French/PA)

“I’m very excited for them, the guys deserve the favourite tag and I think they’ve got a great opportunity to do something very special.”

:: Alastair Cook was speaking as Global Partner OPPO unveiled their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 TV advert and launched the OPPO Reno Series. To view the new TV advert and to find out more info on the new Reno Series, visit https://twitter.com/oppo ::