… Jofra Archer could represent England by 2019 World Cup

THE English Cricket Board (ECB) is considering an adjustment to its residency qualification requirements which would allow Barbados-born player Jofra Archer to represent England by the 2019 World Cup.

The 23-year-old Archer, a former Windies youth player, has expressed a desire to represent the country of his father’s birth but up until now has been stymied by its residency rules.

Under the previous regulations the all-rounder, who moved to the country after he turned 18, would have to serve a seven-year qualification period and be living in the UK for 210 days a year, which would mean he would not be eligible to play for England until 2022.

According to the Times, however, the ECB could be looking to change regulations to match the ICC’s four-year qualifying period or rule on the player’s circumstances with a discretionary decision.

Archer, who was born and raised in Barbados, became the Caribbean’s most expensive player after being sold to the Rajasthan Royals for £800,000 at this year’s Premier League auction after making a name for himself in the Big Bash League.

A ruling in his favour would also see the player eligible for next year’s Ashes series.