Daryl’s seven heaven
London Br 6 Castleford 40
MARK WOOD has admitted he and the other England fast bowlers are under threat to perform thanks to the looming presence of Jofra Archer. But after delivering an impressive personal performance in their 26-run defeat to the West Indies on Friday, Wood’s stock is steadily on the rise at just the right time.
Sussex all-rounder Archer, a Barbadian with an English father and British passport, will become eligible for selection for England before the World Cup begins in May.
In order for Archer to be included in England’s World Cup plans someone in the current squad out in the Caribbean will have to miss out, and Wood is doing everything he can to make sure it isn’t him.
“Well I think I am one of the guys under threat, but I wouldn’t say that night and day I’m worried about Archer’s role,” said Wood who took 1-38 in Bridgetown.
“Obviously he is a world-class performer but I’m just going to continue with this bit of confidence I’ve got and half-decent form to push my own case.
“It is not really talked about in the dressing room but he’s a world-class player and I’d be stupid to think that if I didn’t put in the hard yards that my place wouldn’t be up for grabs because he bowls quick as well. So we’ll see what happens there.
“I thought I bowled well up top in the game before and then came back and got Chris Gayle, so this game it was nice to come back and have a bit of reverse swing to play with.
“The killer was when the ball started reversing. That is the game changer. It is all well and good bowling quick but if it doesn’t move then batters these days are pretty good and can put you away.”
Wood is starting to get the rewards his talent has long suggested he might, but like any bowler worth his salt he is utterly motivated by wickets. He had been desperate to DARYL POWELL’S Castleford Tigers moved to the top of Super League with a seven-try slaughter of London Broncos.
Peter Mata’utia scored for the Tigers but Rhys Williams’ try put the Broncos on level terms in the first 10 minutes.
Then boss Powell’s men went into top gear. Jacob Trueman, Junior Moors and Jesse Sene-Lefao extended Cas’ lead prior to half-time, and Liam Watts added another. Greg Eden was next to go over while Jordan Rankin wrapped up the victory to maintain Tigers’ 100 per cent start to the season.