Wood could ramp up England pace attack against Pakistan

Nottingham: Mark Wood could be paired with Jofra Archer as England ponder unleashing a potent pace attack on Pakistan in their Cricket World Cup clash at Trent Bridge on Monday.

The hosts may look to take a leaf out of the West Indies’ playbook in their approach to their second game of the tournament, launching a barrage of short-pitched deliveries to blow Pakistan away.

The West Indies bowled out Pakistan for a paltry 105 at Trent Bridge on Friday and England captain Eoin Morgan suggested he could follow their example.

He said it would be an “awesome” prospect to pair Wood, who missed England’s opening victory over South Africa, with Archer, who took three wickets in that match at The Oval, in the same side for the first time.

“It is exciting. It’s like saying can you add a Jason Roy 180 to a Jos Buttler 150 off 70 or 80 balls,” the captain told reporters at a rain-affected training session on Sunday.

“It might happen. If it does that would be awesome. We just have to wait and see. It’s all on potential.”

Archer’s World Cup debut has been among the early tournament highlights but Morgan looked to temper the excitement over the 24-year-old Barbados-born quick.

“Nobody can bowl fast every game. We have seen that with our fast bowlers in the past,” the England captain added.

“It’s just not possible. It’s like when you have a high-quality batsman who averages over 50, he’s not going to get 100 every game. So take every day as it comes when it comes to Jofra.”