By Paul Newman for the Daily Mail
Published: 20:15 GMT, 19 February 2019 | Updated: 20:24 GMT, 19 February 2019
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Eoin Morgan did his best to avoid talking about his not-so-secret potential World Cup weapon but he knows there will as much attention on Jofra Archer throughout the one-day series against West Indies as the bowlers taking on Chris Gayle and company here.
The stock of Archer, who qualifies for England next month, will rise or fall on the performances of the attack that has helped take Morgan’s side to the top of the rankings in this last five-match 50-over series before they must declare their World Cup hand.
The Barbadian with an English father and British passport is very much on England’s radar for the World Cup and Ashes that follow and, Sportsmail understands, serious consideration was given to fast-tracking Archer into the Lions tour of India this winter and then this series.
England's bowlers face a tough challenge in the one-day series against West Indies
The pressure is very much on Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood (above), Tom Curran and David Willey
Those plans were ultimately discarded but the pressure is very much on Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Tom Curran and David Willey to ensure they do suffer at the hands of Gayle, the self-styled ‘Universe Boss’.
‘One of the best attributes I have is to compartmentalise things,’ said Morgan ahead of Wednesday’s first one-day international at the Kensington Oval.
‘Until Jofra qualifies he’s not really in our thoughts. Our focus is on this game and