Tim Wigmore
Mark Wood believes he could play in the same team as Jofra Archer at the Twenty20 World Cup, raising the enticing prospect of England unleashing the two express bowlers in the Caribbean.
Wood and Archer combined to play 10 of the 11 matches in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, which was Archer’s final appearance in a global tournament. In Archer’s absence, the Durham fast bowler played a key role in England’s T20 World Cup triumph in Australia in 2022, taking nine wickets in four matches.
Wood did not play in England’s match against Pakistan on Saturday – the only game of the series so far with the other two matches abandoned without being bowled – but he is keen to play alongside Archer in the T20 World Cup defence.
“I’ve played with Jofra before and I don’t think there’s a good chemistry between me and him,” Wood said.
“I don’t see why we can’t play together. We played together in the 2019 World Cup and it went pretty well. I don’t see why we can’t play in the same team, but it may be up to the team management to look after our bodies and how we get through the tournament.”
Wood praised Archer’s form since returning to the team – he took 2-28 against Pakistan on Saturday, reaching 90mph in his first international match in 14 months – but he said there was no rivalry between the pair over who can bowl faster.
“I just want to let Jofra bowl and get back on track, not force him to bowl faster but let him show what kind of player he is and what he’s capable of. I think the important thing for both of us is to stay fit, take wickets and have an impact on the game.”
Wood expressed frustration that rain has disrupted England’s T20 World Cup preparations, ahead of their opening match against Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday. Rain is threatening to fall at the Oval again tomorrow, meaning England will only be able to play one of the four-match T20 series against Pakistan, England’s first T20 cricket of the year.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal to have four games scheduled and only get one or two,” he said. “One or two of us might feel like we need one or two games to get ourselves going, but there’s no excuses. Games are coming and they’re just going to come and do whatever preparation you do.”
Wood also said he was pleased with his recovery from his own knee injury.
“I’ve had a full run and I feel I’m getting close to the stage where I’m ready to play. I was going to play the last game in Cardiff and I feel I’m in a position to bowl quickly and be tested. I’m really happy to have gotten to this point.”
