Jofra Archer was “calm and optimistic”, according to the chief selector, Ed Smith, on being informed on Tuesday he had been chosen for the first time for England. Smith then noted Archer went out and “bowled brilliantly” for the Rajasthan Royals, which he construed as a good sign. “He’s excited by the prospect”, he added. So is Smith. However, Archer acknowledged on Wednesday afternoon that when he received Smith’s call “I was honestly surprised and it was overwhelming for me”. Archer has not been selected in the preliminary World Cup squad Smith and his fellow selectors are required to deliver to the ICC this week. He is in the squad of 14 for the ODI against Ireland and the T20 against Pakistan and the 17 for the five ODIs against Pakistan that follow. This is the expedient way for England’s selectors to proceed. It would have been provocative to throw Archer straight into the World Cup 15 and there was absolutely no need to do that. Smith made it clear the real selection, once all the evidence has been gathered, will be made around 22 May. “He [Archer] is a very exciting cricketer and there was a broad desire to…