Trevor Bayliss admits to tough calls as England's bowlers await their World Cup fates

The major dilemma for the coach and his captain, Eoin Morgan, centres around the makeup of his bowling options. The emergence of Jofra Archer, who only made his ODI debut this month, has added further competition to England's fast-bowling armoury

As England's selectors meet to whittle 17 names down to a final 15-man squad, head coach Trevor Bayliss is well aware that his decision will leave two of his charges disappointed.

Sunday’s 54-run victory at Headingley over Pakistan closed out a convincing 4-0 series win, during which each of the contenders have been given a final opportunity to stake their claims ahead of Tuesday morning’s announcement.

The major dilemma for Bayliss and his captain, Eoin Morgan, centres around the makeup of his bowling options. The emergence of Jofra Archer, who had only made 14 domestic one-day appearances for Sussex prior to his ODI debut against Ireland in early May, has complicated England’s final decision.

The absence of Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood and Archer from the line-up for the final ODI led to suggestions that Tom Curran and David Willey were vying for the last spot.

Meanwhile, the battle for the role of understudy to Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid is thought to lie between Joe Denly and Liam Dawson, who was not selected in the provisional squad, but has had a stellar Royal London One-Day Cup campaign for Hampshire.

^{David Willey's position in the squad is vulnerable as England's selectors meet.}

“Unfortunately, one or two guys have to miss out,” Bayliss told the written press after watching his bowlers defend a score of 351 for 9 which, at one stage, looked set to be far greater.

“That’s just the way it is in professional sport. It’s going to be a difficult position, and everyone will feel for whoever misses out.

“The 17 we have here, if we ended up with 15 of those 17 guys in this squad in the World Cup, Morgs and I would be happy.”

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Hampshire batsman James Vince was not named in the initial 15-strong list but has since emerged as a clear favourite to replace Alex Hales, who was deselected after a second failed recreational drugs test.

He made 33 as, alongside Jonny Bairstow, England found themselves racing at more than nine runs per over through the first 10-over powerplay in Leeds. Joe Root made 84, while Morgan helped himself to a rapid 76 as Pakistan’s fielding faltered in the final game of a series dominated by the bat.

“It is good to go into a World Cup having played in the fashion we have done this series,” Bayliss added.

“We’ve given all the batters a hit, we’ve shown we can be a bit flexible, getting guys batting in different positions. The same with the bowlers, trying to get everyone some game time so that everyone heads into the World Cup with some game time under their belt.

“But at the same time making sure the bowlers especially weren’t overcooked going into it. We’re very happy with the result.”

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