ICC World Cup 2019 | Jofra Archer is an absolute genius, claims Liam Livingstone

England announced their final 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2019 which will be played from May 30 onwards. Eoin Morgan is set to lead the home team as they enter the tournament as firm favorites to win the coveted trophy. However, one of the major talking points of last night’s announcement was the inclusion of West Indies-born pacer Jofra Archer in the World Cup team.

Many critcs have questioned the three lions’ decision to include Archer in the British squad as they claim he is yet to prove his merit with the national side. But Liam Livingstone is more than convinced by young bowler’s abilities on the big stage.

“He’d be the first man on my teamsheet. Jofra’s an absolute genius, and I don’t think he’s anywhere near his full potential. Over the next three years, don’t be surprised if he’s the one of the best players in the world.

“He bowls 93-95mph effortlessly, and with a bit of help over the next few years I’d expect that to go up. He has great control of his line and length as well. He bowls 93mph yorkers at the end of the innings, he’s a proper athlete in the field and can smack it around with the bat. For me, he’s almost the perfect cricketer,” Livingstone said in a recent interview with The Guardian.

Archer has previously represented the West Indies cricket team at the under-19 level. However, the 24-year old was eligible to play for England having migrated to the UK early on in his career. Livingstone added that Archer is definitely a ‘special talent’.

“The scary thing is that I don’t think he actually knows how good he is, but I’m sure he’ll soon realise it when he blows international teams away.

“When he warms up, he jogs in off three paces and bowls at 88mph. I remember one particular ball he bowled in the nets at Sanju Samson. I’ve never seen a man with more time batting in T20 cricket than Sanju, but Jofra rapped him on the gloves first ball off a yard or two. There were loads of moments over the last seven weeks where you think: ‘This boy’s a special talent’,” Livingstone added.