Tuesday 21 May 2019 09:49, UK
Former captain 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.
Cook, who retired from international cricket last year and was speaking at the launch of OPPO's ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 'Shot Maker' campaign, 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."
The emergence of Archer, who only made his debut against Ireland earlier this month, has made it likely at least one of David Willey, Tom Curran or Joe Denly will drop out.
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," Cook added. "But unfortunately a couple of phone calls will need to be made which won't be great. That's the nature of professional sport, it can be very brutal.
"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."
