I’m sure that Jofra Archer will be ready for the Ashes, says England pacer Mark Wood

England pacer Mark Wood has said that fellow fast-bowler Jofra Archer will be ready for the upcoming Ashes series. England are set to take on Australia in the five-match Test series, starting June 16.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wood said he feels for Archer, adding that he is a champion player and will come back to become a champion once again.

“I feel for Jofra actually and I can sympathize with him quite a bit there. You feel like you’re just getting back and then you have a little setback and things happen. He’s a champion player and I’m sure he’ll come back and be a champion again,” said Wood.

He went on to say that Archer has overcome bigger obstacles, adding that he will be mentally and physically ready for the Ashes.

“He has overcome bigger things and I’m sure that he will be ready for the Ashes. He’ll get great treatment there in Mumbai and England will look after him so that, come the Ashes, he will be mentally and physically ready,” Wood added.

Speaking about their opponents, Wood called Australia a world-class side, while adding that winning in Pakistan was a huge step in the right direction for the England team. England clean-sweeped Pakistan in a three-match Test series in December last year.

“I think Australia are a world-class team and I think it will be a great series. I wouldn’t like to predict and say it’s going to be one way or another. What I will say is that everyone has doubted this England team before, saying ‘Oh, they won’t do it against this team’, or ‘They’ll struggle against this team.’ To win in Pakistan, I think, was a huge tick in the box,” said Wood.

Wood is currently representing Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, while Archer is playing for Mumbai Indians. The two are set to join the England squad and miss the latter half of the competition.