'We have to be at our maximum and earn our spot' - Mark Wood eyes for Test return

England pacer Mark Wood is aiming to make his return in the Ashes and hopes to partner with teammate Jofra Archer, who is also making a comeback after a long injury layoff. While Archer has already been named in England’s squad for the second Test against India, Wood is still recovering from his injury.

Wood sustained a knee injury during the Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. He has expressed confidence about his return to Test cricket and looks forward to playing alongside Archer.

“I still have that hope. We are running our own race a little bit. He (Archer) is ready to go now, I still have a bit to go and there are plenty of other bowlers around. So I wouldn’t necessarily say it is definitely me and him pencilled in," said Wood as quoted by SkySports.

“We have got to be at our maximum, we have got to be 90 mph plus, and offering something to the captain and the team. It is no good just expecting to play when these lads are currently in the team and they are doing well. You have to earn your spot and I am sure me and Jofra will be out to do that," Wood added.

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The right-arm pacer acknowledged the healthy competition between himself and Archer, insisting that their little race could ultimately decide the spot in the red-ball setup.

“We all need to put in those performances. It would be lovely to play with him but we have both got to run our own race, get up to speed and deserve that spot," Wood said.

Both players played together in a Test match against the West Indies. The Ashes series begins on November 21, and if they secure their spots, it will be their return to Test cricket after five years, since 2020.