"I don't think we can"- Luke Wright explains Jofra Archer's chances of playing ODI World Cup 2023

England pacer Jofra Archer might not have made it to the provisional ODI World Cup squad of 2023 but will be there in England's final 15 men squad. Archer was England's leading wicket-taker in their historic campaign in 2019 with 20 wickets from 11 matches and delivered the thrilling Super Over against New Zealand in the final.

The pacer has only featured in 7 ODIs since the start of 2020, having suffered from multiple injuries. England selector Luke Wright has said Archer might not be part of the ODI World Cup in the first half of the campaign, starting later this year.

The best-case scenario for Jof really at the moment would probably be available: Luke Wright

England announced their provisional ODI World Cup squad on Wednesday, August 16. The defending champions named Ben Stokes, who ended his ODI retirement. Wright speaking about Archer's return said, "I don't think we can, unfortunately, have him in the squad to start with."

"Best-case scenario for Jof really at the moment would probably be available for the back-end of the tournament. That's the best-case scenario, which obviously, in a squad of 15, is going to leave us quite light. The last thing we want to do is really to put a massive time on him and try to push him and force him into playing before he does . We've got to get him right, first and foremost."

"But is there an opportunity or a place where potentially he could play at the back end of a tournament if all things go well and there was an injury? Yes, there's a potential chance. But obviously, a lot of things have still got to go right with this rehab before then."

He further added, "When you look at that squad, you cannot have a bowler that might not be available for the second half and definitely not for the first half. Unfortunately, we couldn't do it. If something miraculous happens with him, we have time to change things but I just don't see it happening. It is just coming too soon and we can't rush this decision on Jof this time."

England's Squad for New Zealand series

Jos Buttler (c), 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