SPEED DEMONS
England to unleash pace aces
England will unleash one of the fastest newball partnerships in their history as they look to close out the 50- over series against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in style.
Both Jofra archer and, for the first time this summer, Mark Wood will take the field today as England go in search of a 3-0 lead with one to play — and both men are more than capable of breaching 90mph.
after two batsmen-friendly matches in which 1,451 runs have been scored for the loss of just 23 wickets — and at a rate of nearly 7.5 an over — it is a mouthwatering prospect.
Three years ago in nottingham, Pakistan were blown away by England’s batsmen, who posted a then world-record 444 for three. This time, it could be the fast bowlers who wreak havoc. and if a menacing message is sent to the other teams competing at the World Cup, starting on May 30, so much the better.
archer has already shaken, rattled and rolled the speedgun this summer, clocking nearly 94mph during the rain-ruined series opener at The Oval in a spell reckoned to be the quickest by an England one-day bowler in a decade.
Wood, meanwhile, will be bowling in a match for the first time since the 50-over series in the Caribbean in March — but with memories still fresh of his performance in the third Test in St lucia, where he was measured at almost 95mph.
‘To have two fast bowlers in any team tends to be rare,’ said Wood. ‘It will be good to play in the same team, and nice to bounce off him and see what plans he has — hopefully I can watch him from fine leg bowling rockets.
‘at The Oval everyone was watching that spell. It was fantastic. He has natural raw pace, which is very exciting for English cricket, whereas I feel I have to bust a gut to get it up there. He swings it into the righthander, away from the left — that’s good in OdI cricket.
‘Even in training when he’s bowling into a mitt, you can tell it’s that extra bit he’s got. He’s definitely right up there among the best in the world for pace. It’ll be interesting to see how far back the wicketkeeper stands for him and me!’
Wood has been deliberately nursed through the early part of the summer by the England management after returning from the West Indies to discover bone bruising on his troublesome left ankle.
Barring further injury, he is likely to be confirmed in the final World Cup 15 on Tuesday, although the weather put paid to his two scheduled one-day appearances for durham in early May, leaving him without a competitive spell for more than two months.
‘Obviously the things that will be talked about are how quick I’m bowling and can I get wickets,’ he said. ‘That’s how I’ll be judged. I’m not saying I’ll be 93mph straightaway, but if I keep my body good I’m
sure I can get up there.’ England are set to make other changes too at a venue where a flat pitch and short boundaries ought to play into batsmen’s hands once more. Chris Woakes, david Willey and liam Plunkett are expected to sit the game out, with leg- spinner adil Rashid to return after missing Tuesday’s run-fest in Bristol.
With Eoin Morgan suspended because of slow over- rates, Jos Buttler will captain and keep wicket, while a breather for Jonny Bairstow will give reserve batsman James Vince a chance to underline why the selectors turned to him following the axing of alex Hales.