Wood eager to team up with returning Archer

MARK Wood is delighted at Jofra Archer's red-ball return and hopes they can form a long-awaited fast bowling double act for England in Tests at some point this year.

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Archer's repeated injury setbacks have sidelined him from the longest format for more than four years but he has been named in England’s squad for the second Test against India at Edgbaston next week.

He sent down 18 overs for Sussex against Wood’s Durham this week in his first-class comeback, seemingly the final staging post in proving his body is equipped to cope with the rigours of Test cricket.

Wood, back bowling lightly in the nets again following knee surgery in March, said: “Obviously it’s great to see him back firing.

“He was super relaxed - I saw him in the nets the other day when I was doing some bowling. He seems in great spirits, great shape.”