Spectre of Jofra Archer looms over England pace attack during one-day series against West Indies 

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 the series.’

England’s bowling attack that has helped take Eoin Morgan’s side to the top of the rankings

Engand’s Jason Roy takes a catch during a net session at The Kensington Oval on Tuesday

While Morgan, who talked at length about Archer’s qualities in a Sportsmail interview on Monday, played a straight bat, Sir Alastair Cook, his predecessor as England one-day captain, was warning against the dangers of making late changes to World Cup plans.

Cook said: ‘We’ve made massive mistakes leading up to World Cups, like changing the formula just before the last one, and in the last four tournaments we’ve made major changes in key positions. It won’t happen this time. Everyone is very clear on their roles and that’s exciting. England have got match-winners pretty much from one to 15.’

The big question remains, though, as to whether they include Archer in that 15 and one bowler under particular scrutiny here will be Plunkett, whose pace in the last year has been well below the 94mph he reached against Pakistan three years ago.

Sir Alastair Cook has warned against the dangers of making late changes to World Cup plans

Fast bowler Jofra Archer is very much on England’s radar for the World Cup and Ashes

There is a worry that Plunkett, approaching his 34th birthday, may have just started his decline from the bowler who has been such a significant figure in England’s one-day bowling in the last four years.

But Morgan insisted Surrey’s new signing still has his full support. 

‘It’s not a concern,’ said Morgan about Plunkett’s apparent dip in pace. 

‘It’s not easy facing him because of the trajectory and variations. That’s definitely the case in the Caribbean where a bit of extra height does count.’