ENG vs IND: Like Jofra Archer, another speed star has chances to mark his return to Test cricket against India

Some fresh air passing through the England camp ahead of the 5-match Test series against India. For the first match, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their squad, and they can update their squad for the next games. Shuffle in the existing test setup depends on how the injured players are recovering.

As for now, the board has received a couple of pieces of good news. The latest one is about the speed star Mark Wood. The prime bowler of England suffered an injury during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage match against Afghanistan, where they faced a shocking setback.

Luke Wright, England's national selector, informed us that Wood has started bowling lightly; he is in recovery season and yet to fully gain fitness. Wright and the board do not want to take any decision in a hurry, as they see the pacer as a long-term prospect. But there is some hope that Wood could mark his Test return during the fourth or fifth Test against India, though it's not official yet.

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"I think Woody's now started bowling just lightly, to be honest. He's just off a few paces, but that's been a great sign. So, he's on the road to recovery. I think he's more long-term; if we can get him back, he might have an option for the fourth or fifth test. But again, each day it's ticking off each box and making sure he's OK," Wright said on Sky Sports.

Jofra Archer set to hit the deck 

Another seamer, Jofra Archer, is currently out of the mix due to a thumb injury, and he is recovering as well. During the final stages of the IPL 2025, he got himself injured. Wright is again hopeful for a fine recovery, and to provide him the necessary match fitness, the bowler will participate in domestic contests. 

"Joff's trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him are that he's playing a few second-team games. The plan is for him to play a few second team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test. So, he'll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then, if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test," Luke Wright said.