Ashes 2023: “Jofra Archer Is A Champion Player” Mark Wood Backs Compatriot To Be Ready For Test Series Against Australia

England pacer Jofra Archer has missed a lot of cricketing action since struggling with an elbow injury. He was out of the cricketing action for more than 10 months and has missed major events such as T20 World Cup 2021 and 2022, Ashes 2021-22 along with two IPL seasons. 

Jofra Archer travelled to Belgium earlier this month reportedly for a minor surgery on his right elbow. While his quick return to IPL action does augur well, concerns will remain about how much he can be involved in this summer’s Ashes.

However, England pacer Mark Wood has backed his bowling partner Jofra Archer to be ready for the upcoming Ashes 2023. He said that Jofra has overcome bigger challenges and ECB will monitor him in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

An Important Player For England

Jofra Archer hasn’t made played Test cricket since February 2021. He has 42 wickets in 13 matches since making his debut in 2019. He finally returned to cricket during England’s tour to South Africa and bowled well.

He is currently part of the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. But hasn’t played all the matches as he has been struggling with injuries, which potentially has been an elbow niggle. Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians’ captain, said at the toss that Archer was “not well” but is expected to return against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday night.

Archer has said that playing just one Ashes Test this summer would be a “bonus” but England are desperate for him to be more involved. They are hoping to have one out-and-out pace bowler in each of the five Tests, with Mark Wood and Olly Stone their other 90mph options.

England Partner Positive On Jofra’s Return

Jofra Archer returned to England duty for the limited-overs series in South Africa in January, and Bangladesh in February. Doubts remain about whether he will be able to play red-ball cricket but the ECB are hopeful that Archer will play a role in the Ashes, which begins on June 16.

Another England bowler Mark Wood has backed Jofra and said that “I feel for Jofra, actually, and I can sympathize with him quite a bit there. You feel like you’re just getting back, and then you have a little setback, and things happen. The curve’s never in a straight line, is it? You know that on the way back, you’re going to have bumps along the way.”

He added “He’s a champion player, and I’m sure he’ll come back and be a champion again. I think, reading between the lines, it sounds like it’s not a massive setback that he’s going to have. He has overcome bigger things, and I’m sure that he will be ready for the Ashes.”