England Pace Duo: Lightning Speed
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In their last warm-up match against Pakistan, England found the morale boost they needed. Mark Wood, making his return from a lengthy injury hiatus, bowled a scorching 95 mph delivery that left Muhammad Rizwan flailing. This was Wood’s first match since March, and he wasted no time in demonstrating his pace.
Soon after, he clocked in at 96 mph, partnering with Jofra Archer in a fearsome opening spell. The sight of these two bowlers in tandem, reminiscent of their 2019 World Cup heroics, electrified the crowd at The Oval and set the stage for England’s World Cup defense.
Captain Jos Buttler’s Perspective
Captain Jos Buttler expressed his excitement about the duo’s return. “Any time you see pace in the game, especially those two bowling together, it’s a great place to be,” Buttler remarked. “The two of them bowled really well on a quick wicket.” This enthusiasm is shared by the entire squad as they prepare for their first match against Scotland in Barbados.
Archer: Picking Up Where He Left Off
Archer, too, looked sharp on his comeback trail. Having battled a series of injuries, including a stress fracture in his elbow, his return to form is a welcome boost for England. He troubled the Pakistani batsmen with his trademark sharp bouncers, finishing with economical figures of 1-31 in 3.5 overs.
James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, couldn’t hide his admiration for Archer, stating, “He doesn’t look like he’s been away.”
Wood’s Comeback Performance
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Mark Wood’s performance was particularly impressive, considering his absence from competitive cricket since England’s Test tour of India in March. Despite facing a relatively weak Pakistan side, Wood managed to secure figures of 2-35. His average speed was 91 mph, and he twice hit 96 mph, signaling that he was back to his best.
A brutal bouncer that dismissed Azam Khan and another fierce short ball caught by Jos Buttler further cemented his return to form. Reflecting on his performance, Wood said,
“It was a bit frantic, it was my first game back in a while, and it wasn’t until after the first couple of overs I felt I was back into it. I was pleased with the wicket. That settles you into the game.”
A Reunion for the Ages?
Wood and Archer were pivotal in England’s 2019 World Cup victory, and their sporadic appearances together since then have been eagerly anticipated. The prospect of these two speedsters playing together on the slower pitches of the Caribbean excites both fans and players alike. Wood commented on their partnership,
“We’ve had success before, and I don’t see why we can’t do it again.”
A Spark for England’s World Cup defense!
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It is a timely boost for England as they ramp up their World Cup preparation, with the Wood and Archer repairs coming hot on the heels of Jason Roy’s return to form. A difficult cross-over draw lies ahead, but that planned pace one-two is a source of confidence.
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