Jofra Archer, Tom Curran and Liam Dawson have been named in England's World Cup squad, with David Willey and Joe Denly missing out.
Barbados-born Archer, 24, qualified to play for England in March and is chosen after playing only three one-day internationals. That left one further pace-bowling place in the 15-man squad and Surrey's Curran has edged out left-armer Willey.
England have opted for the specialist spin of Hampshire slow left-armer Dawson rather than the all-round option of Denly. Led by Eoin Morgan, the hosts, who have never won the World Cup, will start the tournament as favourites. They begin their campaign in the opening match against South Africa at The Oval on 30 May.
Willey and Denly were named in England's provisional 15-man squad in April, alongside batsman Alex Hales. Hales was dropped after serving a suspension for reportedly failing a recreational drugs test, and his place, as expected, has gone to James Vince. Archer joins Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett and Curran as pace bowlers in the squad."I can't believe it has happened so quickly. I had it in my head I'd have to wait seven years," Archer told Sky Sports.
"I was always prepared to wait however long it would take. Everyone welcomed me with open arms from the moment I got in. "I haven't worked out how I can bowl so quickly. I just know if you look after your body, your body will look after you."
England World Cup Squad
Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
---BBC
Latest News