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"Have To Earn The Spot": Mark Wood Opens Up On Ashes Hope With Jofra Archer

Soumyajit Dutta

Mark Wood and Jofra Archer  [Source: @tomistoma/X.com] Mark Wood and Jofra Archer  [Source: @tomistoma/X.com]

England's pace spearhead Mark Wood is eyeing his Ashes Return as he hopes to partner up with his teammate Jofra Archer who is also yet to make a comeback to the national side in Whites after a long injury. While Archer has been confident with his recovery after his Susses County stint in the County Division One 2025, Mark Wood is still recovering.

Mark Wood Speaks Ashes Prospect With Archer

Mark Wood is recovering from a knee injury that he succumbed back in the Champions Trophy against Afghanistan. During his radio commentary duty at Leeds, Wood reassured their Test return as he wished to play alongside Archer.

“I still have that hope. We are running our own race a little bit. 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," Wood said, as quoted by SkySports on Thursday.

Speaking of securing a spot in the team after returning back from long injuries, Wood sounded confident both from his and Jofra Archer's side.

“We have got to be at our maximum, we have got to be 90mph plus, and offering something to the captain and the team. 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," Wood added.

Wood And Archer Racing Against Each Other

However, Wood couldn't shy away from hinting at the healthy competition between him and Jofra Archer. He stressed that their 'own little race' could be the deciding factor for the Test side spot.

“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," Wood said.

Notably, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer played one Test match together where Archer scalped 3 wickets and Wood bagged 2 against West Indies. As the Ashes starts on November 21, if they both secure their spots, they will be playing together in whites after 5 years since 2020.