England have sought to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of a first World Cup crown. They have shuffled the roles of batsmen and bowlers in an effort to ensure they are not caught cold by any situation. In the comprehensive win over West Indies on Friday, their seventh bowler Joe Root took two wickets and Chris Woakes scored 40 as an emergency No 3.
Given the adherence to “Total Cricket”, it is curious that more has not been done to stress-test the batting of their latest star. So far, Jofra Archer has been deployed almost exclusively as a strike bowler — and to wonderful effect. Yet the circumstance may arise where Archer is required to see England across the line with the bat,