Mark Wood admits it would be “exciting” to play alongside Jofra Archer in The Ashes but insists they have to earn their places in the side that will take on Australia.
Wood and Archer have both been working back from injuries, with the former out since suffering a knee injury during England’s ICC Champions Trophy group-stage defeat to Afghanistan in March.
Archer has been in action for Sussex against Durham in his first red-ball match in four years following a a thumb injury that saw him miss England’s ODI series against the West Indies earlier this summer.
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England selector Luke Wright confirms plans for Jofra Archer to make a Test return four years since his last appearance
Archer is now targeting being in contention for the second Test between England and India, which takes place from Wednesday July 2 at Edgbaston, live on Sky Sports.
For Wood, the fifth Test – at The Oval from July 31 – is the more realistic target as he increases his bowling load.
While the fast-bowling pair playing in tandem is an exciting prospect for England fans, Wood believes both have to “earn their place” as part of the battery of pace bowlers taken to Australia this winter as they look to win the Ashes overseas for the first time since 2010/11.
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Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer bowls a 91mph delivery to take the wicket of Shubman Gill in his team’s clash with the Gujarat Titans
“I still have that hope. We are running our own race a little bit,” Wood said.
“He [Archer] is ready to go now, I still have a bit to go and there are plenty of other bowlers around.
“So I wouldn’t necessarily say it is definitely me and him pencilled in.
“In the pack of bowlers, we don’t want it to feel like we are competing against each other. We want it as a rounded group where it can do damage against India and Australia.
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Josh Tongue took three wickets in four deliveries during day four of the first Test for England against India
“That is what we are hoping for but I don’t think there are guarantees for any of us. We all need to put in those performances.
“It would be lovely to play with him but we have both got to run our own race, get up to speed and deserve that spot.”
While Wood is trying to stay realistic while he continues his return, he admits that, if both he and Archer are bowling at their “maximum” come The Ashes, they can travel with a fast-bowling group to rival Australia’s dominant team containing the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
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Mark Wood explains how he has done a lot of work behind the scenes to try to add movement to the ball
“We have got to be at our maximum, we have got to be 90mph plus, and offering something to the captain and the team,” Wood added.
“It is no good just expecting to play when these lads are currently in the team and they are doing well.
“You have to earn your spot and I am sure me and Jofra will be out to do that.
“It is exciting because to be able to go to Australia with a pack of fast bowlers in particular, we haven’t done that a lot in the last few series over there.
“There is an excitement and freshness that creates that build-up that we want.
“When you look at Australia’s team, they have had those three or four fast bowlers for a long time who have been really successful.
“It will be nice for us to bring our own and try and combat that.”
England vs India Test series ☀️
All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports
First Test: England won by five wickets – HeadingleySecond Test: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 – EdgbastonThird Test: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 – Lord’sFourth Test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 – Emirates Old TraffordFifth Test: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 – The Kia Oval
