Cricket World Cup 2019: Jason Holder not dwelling on Jofra Archer's decision to play for England over West Indies

Archer could have played for the West Indies but instead lines up in the World Cup against former teammates

In a world not too dissimilar to this, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan could be finalising their plans to face the fast and aggressive opening bowling of Jofra Archer as England take on the West Indies in the World Cup.

Instead, Archer, who represented the West Indies at Under-19 level four times in 2014, will face former teammates on Friday playing in England's light blue strip.

The ECB recently relaxed strict rules on registration to let Archer be available for selection ahead of the home World Cup and The Ashes series this summer.

The decision to include Archer in the 15-man squad, replacing squad mainstay David Willey, kicked up something of a fuss with England teammates and pundits expressing their concern about his inclusion, but his form has fully justified the decision to fit him into the leading one-day international side.

The Barbadian-born quick has taken six wickets in England’s first three World Cup matches and has fast become a key component to the bowling attack.

As a teenager, Archer stood alongside Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran representing the West Indies at youth level but will line up against them, as well as Bajans Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach and West Indies captain, Jason Holder.

Holder attempted to deflect many attempts to get him to comment on Archer’s allegiance, perhaps anticipating the line of questioning from the media, but could not help wonder what could have been if he decided not to play for England.

“It is just unfortunate how things went in terms of his decision-making, but he is a good talent,” Hope said at a rainy Ageas Bowl on Thursday afternoon.

Jason Holder has seen a lot of Jofra Archer (Getty)

“He's grown up in Barbados playing cricket so what you see – what I'm seeing of Jofra doesn't surprise me. He is one of those guys who has always had ability and talent. It is just unfortunate how things went in terms of his decision-making but he is a good talent.

“I’m not going to get flustered over it,” he added when pushed if he was frustrated at seeing a promising, young talent play for another country.

“I'm not going to get here and just narrow it down to Jofra, Chris Gayle or whoever else. West Indies is playing England tomorrow. West Indies would like to beat England tomorrow.”

England drew 2-2 with the West Indies during their winter tour and Holder warned the tournament favourites that they are a better side than they were six months ago.

“I think we have done a lot of great things over the last couple of weeks as well. As I said before, our bowling has been really good. You have seen young Oshane Thomas come alight, Sheldon [Cottrell], and practically all our bowlers have been putting up their hands and doing a fantastic job.”

England revealed they are likely to be without Mark Wood for their fourth match, but Holder is leaving things later to see whether Andre Russell will be ready in time.

Russell was drafted into the side after an impressive season in the IPL and has carried his form into the 50-over game, but is struggling for fitness. A five over bowling spell, the kind that helped to skittle Pakistan for 105 in 22 overs, against Australia in their last game ended with Russell limping off the field for treatment on a troublesome knee.

“With hindsight, it was probably a bit too long,” Holder said of Russell’s overs during the 15-run defeat against Australia. “He was going well in that game. I kept asking him how he felt. He said, "One more, skip, one more, skip," so it is hard to deny him.

“He's progressed nicely over the last couple of days. He is just one of those guys where we give him as much time as he possibly needs, so it all boils down to how he wakes up tomorrow morning and feels.”