It may be billed as a clash between Jofra Archer and the Caribbean batting unit, but for the West Indies, Friday’s World Cup clash against England is not just restricted to Archer.
“It’s something that has been talked up in the press, in the media, and we are looking forward to the challenge against England. I don’t want to limit it to Jofra, but we are looking forward to this game against England,” the West Indies captain Jason Holder said in his pre-match media interaction.
“I’m not going to get here and just narrow it down to Jofra, Chris Gayle or whoever else. West Indies is playing England tomorrow [Friday]. West Indies would like to beat England,” Holder said.
Andre Russell, who suffered a knee injury, did not feature in West Indies’ last game against South Africa — which was rained out — but Holder admitted that Russell has improved. “He’s progressed nicely over the last couple of days. He is just one of those guys where we give him as much time as he possibly needs, so it all boils down to how he wakes up tomorrow morning and feels,” Holder stated.
Wood doubtful
Meanwhile, an ankle injury has made England fast bowler Mark Wood doubtful for the crucial fixture. England captain Eoin Morgan said that the 29-old quick would undergo a fitness test on the morning of the match.
Wood, who bowled the fastest delivery of the tournament at 154kmph, complained of discomfort in his left ankle after the side’s game against Bangladesh last Saturday.
Morgan confirmed that off-spinner Moeen Ali would be available following the birth of his daughter, Haadiya, earlier this week. Even Jos Buttler, who had a bruised hip, is set to play the West Indies fixture. “Jos is fully fit,” Morgan said.