Stuart Broad faces the prospect of missing a first home Test match in eight years as England consider unleashing the dual pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Injuries have prevented the duo from playing together since Archer's debut last summer, but both are now fully fit and part of the 13-man squad for the first Test against West Indies.
With no spare batsman and one spinner in the squad, the seam attack composition is the only issue to be decided by head coach Chris Silverwood and stand-in captain Ben Stokes. Broad, writing in his Mail on Sunday column, described the competition for places as 'extraordinary' and expressed his belief that Archer is '100%' part of England's best side.
If Archer plays, Jimmy Anderson is expected to take the new ball, leaving a straight choice between Broad and Mark Wood. Chris Woakes is likely to miss out despite a strong warm-up performance. Broad has not missed a home Test since 2012 and averages 24 with the ball in his previous two English summers.
Wood has impressed in the buildup, taking nine wickets in his most recent Test in Johannesburg. His 90mph-plus pace, combined with Archer's, is tempting. However, rotation is inevitable with three back-to-back Tests against West Indies followed by three against Pakistan in August.
It may be that the management hold Wood back until the second Test at Old Trafford, given a potentially bouncier surface. England hope the Rose Bowl pitch offers more than the sluggish strip seen in the warm-up, especially with a ban on saliva potentially hindering movement through the air.
