Will Mark Wood and Jofra Archer Make the England Test Team?

New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) Mark Wood expressed his excitement about the possibility of teaming up with Jofra Archer during the Ashes series. However, he acknowledged that both players need to demonstrate their fitness to earn their positions in the England Test team.

Both Wood and Archer are currently overcoming injuries, with Wood recuperating from a knee issue that he sustained during England's loss to Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy this past March.

Archer made his comeback for Sussex against Durham in his first red-ball game in four years, and is in contention to join the Test squad for the second match against India, which starts at Edgbaston on July 2. Meanwhile, Wood, who has been providing commentary during the first match in Leeds, aims to be fit for the fifth Test at The Oval, commencing on July 31.

"I remain hopeful. We’re on our own paths. He (Archer) is ready now, while I still have some recovering to do, and there are many other bowlers in the mix. So, I wouldn’t say it’s just about us two being guaranteed spots," Wood shared.

"Among the group of bowlers, we don’t want to feel like we’re competing against each other. Instead, we aim to form a well-rounded team capable of challenging India and Australia. That's what we’re aspiring for, but there are no certainties for any of us."

"We all need to perform. It would be fantastic to play together, but we have to focus on our own journeys, get fit, and earn our places," Wood remarked, as cited by Sky Sports.

England is looking to secure an Ashes victory in Australia for the first time since 2010/11. Wood emphasized that if both he and Archer can achieve their peak performance and fitness, they could rival Australia’s renowned fast bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

"We need to be at our best, hitting speeds of over 90mph, and providing value to the captain and the team. It’s not sufficient to simply expect a spot when the current players are performing well. You must earn your place, and I believe both Jofra and I are determined to do just that," he stated.

"It’s thrilling to think about heading to Australia with a strong group of fast bowlers, something we haven’t had in recent series. There’s an excitement and freshness that builds anticipation for us," he concluded.

"When you observe Australia’s lineup, they have relied on their three or four fast bowlers for a long time, achieving great success. It will be rewarding for us to bring our own strength and challenge that," he added.