Jofra Archer praises Mark Wood after pace duo prove too hot for Bangladesh to handle

One delivery from Archer clipped Soumya Sarkar’s off-stump and then deflected away over the boundary on the full

Jofra Archer praised Mark Wood’s performance against Bangladesh on Saturday, adding that having a pair of genuine fast bowlers had brought with it some friendly competition between the pair.

Both seamers were clocked at well over 90 miles per hour in the win over Bangladesh in Cardiff, with one delivery from Archer clipping Soumya Sarkar’s off-stump and then deflecting away over the boundary on the full.

Wood, meanwhile, who retained his place when Liam Plunkett came into the side at the expense of Moeen Ali, also bowled a number of sharp deliveries, with the pair’s effectiveness heightened by their different release points.

“It’s good competition really to have someone at the other end,” Archer said of the slingy Durham seamer. “It pushes you to do a bit better. Any little thing that can make you better makes the team better. So, keep it up.”

Archer joked that Cardiff’s big screen was “biased”, showing only the speeds of Wood’s deliveries rather than those of the newest member of England’s one-day side.

^{Archer took three wickets in England's win.}

Archer caused all of Bangladesh’s batsmen problems, while his opening five overs were delivered at an average speed of 90.6mph.

“I think you’ve seen someone got hit today twice,” he said of the discomfort his spell had left on his opposition. “If I get hit once I don’t want to be there anymore really. Imagine getting hit twice.

“It was a good wicket to bowl on as well and I just think the whole bowling unit did really well today coming from Trent Bridge.”

It was a performance that was worlds away from the collective battering England’s bowlers had taken from Pakistan, with Archer’s 10 overs going for 79 runs on that occasion at Trent Bridge. His frustration there in England’s defeat led to a fine from the match referee. Archer, however, reflected on last Monday’s disappointment as an off-day.

“I never doubted myself,” he said. “If you’re doubting yourself, I don’t think you’re ready and probably shouldn’t be here if you’re doubting yourself.

“I didn’t really notice the step up: playing competitive cricket for the last few years against the same guys really so it doesn’t really change anything. The only thing that changes is your uniform.”

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