England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Ashley Giles has stated fast bowler Jofra Archer is in contention for a berth in the World Cup squad.

The Barbados-born Archer possesses a British passport – and will soon qualify to play for England.

‘He is an exciting cricketer and his hat will be in the ring. It will be exciting when Jofra is available. Any guy who bowls 90 miles per hour are going to create interest and get people out of their seats. His skills are good and he’s a massive one-dayer. He will be available from the end of March,’ said Giles.

‘We’ve got a group of players who’ve done a lot to get us to this point and have performed very well for England. So competition for those final places is going to be strong.’

‘I’ll need to get some other opinions as well. I need to know what the coaches are thinking and the captains. It is a big year and it would be a bit tough on the lad to think he is going to be some sort of messiah coming into the team. But he is an exciting cricketer.’

The 23-year-old Archer has only played 14 List A matches, but has impressed for Sussex, Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash League and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

England will play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is against the West Indies in the Caribbean later this year.

‘I’ll be going out for the second Test in Antigua and some of the one-dayers. It is not about me just watching some cricket: I need to get to know some of these guys. Before we know it, we will be into the season, so I need some time with them,’ added Giles.

‘I have a long list of people I need to catch up with and a long list of stuff I need to read.’

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