It’s great to have X-factor Archer, Wood possess: Stokes ponders pace bartage in Ashes opener

Perth; Captain Ben Stokes has hinted England considering including pace duo Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in his side’s XI for the opening Ashes Test in Perth to land a stunning first round blow on Australia’s batting order

England have arrived in Australia with a full book of health to choose from and with a strong pace attack that includes Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Archer and Wood that will all be given the chance to shine during the sole warm-up fixture against England Lions that commences on Thursday.

Due largely to injuries, Archer and Wood have never played a Test match together against Australia, but they have each had Ashes moments that stick in the memory.

Wood turned the 2023 series in England’s favour while Archer had a brilliant battle with Steve Smith without dismissing the Australian champion.

Using Archer and Wood in tandem while they reach speeds in excess of 150 km/h is a prospect that has Stokes pondering the best way to use his wealth of quality quicks ahead of the five-match ICC World Test Championship series.

“It’s great to have the X-factor that Joff and Woody possess in terms of pace. Woody’s obviously got over his knee surgery that he had quite a while ago. He’s overcome that and he’s looking really, really good.

“Joff has been out in the park for two and a half years now so it’s great seeing those two flying in and getting some fast balls down there. Whether or not they get through (picked for) the first Test series probably remains to be seen,” Stokes said in Perth on Wednesday.

Pressed on whether he would use Archer and Wood in the same side in Perth, Stokes remain tight-lipped.

“It would be exciting, wouldn’t it?,” Stokes said with a smile. It’s nine days until that first Test starts, so there’s a lot of time for stuff to form into place or for something to happen.

“But, at the moment, from a fast bowling point of view, the guys that we’ve picked are all in really, really good shape,” he said.