Latest updates from last T20 on the Oval | EUROtoday

By Tim Wigmore

Mark Wood believes that he may play alongside Jofra Archer in the identical aspect within the Twenty20 World Cup, elevating the tantalising prospect of  England unleashing two specific bowlers within the Caribbean.

Wood and Archer performed in tandem in 10 out of 11 video games throughout England’s 2019 World Cup victory, which was Archer’s final look in a world occasion. In Archer’s absence, the Durham fast performed an necessary function in England’s T20 World Cup win in Australia in 2022, taking 9 wickets in 4 video games.

While Wood didn’t function in England’s win over Pakistan on Saturday – their solely match of the collection to this point, with the opposite two video games deserted and not using a ball being bowled – he hopes to play alongside Archer throughout the T20 World Cup defence.

“I’ve played with Jofra before, and I don’t see it’s like me or him,” Wood stated.

“I don’t see why we can’t play together. We played together at the 2019 World Cup and things went pretty well. I don’t see why we can’t play in the same team, but maybe it’s up to the management to manage our bodies and see how we get through the tournament.”

Wood hailed Archer’s kind since his return to the squad. Archer took 2-28 towards Pakistan on Saturday, reaching 90mph in his first worldwide for 14 months. But he stated that there is no such thing as a rivalry between the 2 about who can bowl faster.”

“I just want to let Jofra bowl, let him get back into things – show what he’s made of and capable of without having to push and say I bowled faster than that. I think for both of us it’s just stay fit, take wickets and try to affect games.

Wood admitted that he was frustrated about how rain had disrupted England’s T20 World Cup preparations, with their opening match against Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday. There is a further risk of rain at The Oval tomorrow, meaning that England could play only one match during their scheduled four-match T20 series against Pakistan. The series is England’s first in T20 cricket this year.

“Obviously it’s not ideal when you schedule four games and we might only get one or two,” he stated. “One or two of us might feel like we need a game or two to get going, but there will be no excuses. It’s coming round thick and fast. Whatever preparation we get, that’s what we’re going to have to go with.”

Wood additionally stated that he’s pleased along with his personal restoration from a knee damage.

“I actually feel like I’m getting to the stage where I’m off my full run, I’m ready to play. I was going to play this last game in Cardiff. I feel I was in a position to bowl quickly and test it out – really happy with where I’ve managed to get it to.”