Matthew Mott: Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in consideration for World Cup selection

England's white-ball coach says Stokes will be asked to rethink his retirement from the format while Archer, who hasn't played since May, will be given "every opportunity" to prove his fitness

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer remain under consideration for England's 2023 Cricket World Cup squad, says head coach Matthew Mott.

England's selectors will name a provisional 18-strong squad on August 15, with their title defence getting underway against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5.

Stokes retired from the format in July 2022, criticising the current international schedule for asking "too much of players", and doubled down on his decision at the end of the 2023 Ashes, stating, "I am retired" when asked about possibly featuring in the tournament.

England's Test skipper is considering surgery ahead of next year's tour of India to address a longstanding knee issue, which had restricted his bowling for some time.

^{Stokes retired from ODI cricket in July 2022 [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Mott, however, is prepared to make one final play to see if he can tempt Stokes back into a format.

"Jos [Buttler] will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben's pretty straight with all of us. We'll see if he's keen," he told the Daily Mail.

"There has not been a clear direction on what he's going to do yet, but we are still hopeful."

Archer, meanwhile, was England's leading wicket-taker at the 2019 tournament, picking up 20 wickets at 23.05, and bowled the decisive super over in the final at Lord's against the Black Caps four years ago.

But a succession of hand, elbow and back injuries have limited him to just seven ODI outings since that dramatic occasion.

^{Archer returned to England's white-ball team against South Africa and Bangladesh earlier this year but is currently injured [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

A recurrence of the stress fracture in his right elbow in May ruled him out of the English summer, with his most recent competitive appearance coming for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

"There is a high chance that we will take risk on a proven performer that has done it on the world stage," Mott added.

"We are planning for him to be available. It is a tight timeline but with players like that you are going to give them every opportunity to prove their fitness."

England have a packed white-ball schedule heading into the World Cup, with four T20Is and four ODIs against New Zealand and three ODIs against Ireland - when a more experimental squad is expected to be selected - scheduled for August and September.