Jofra Archer is a "world-class" option, who might eventually overtake him in the pecking order. But Mark Wood isn't much worried about how that might change the dynamics as far as England's plans for the ICC Cricket World Cup is concerned.
Archer, who has built a name for himself with exploits around the world in T20 cricket, will be eligible to play for England at the end of the ongoing tour in the Caribbean due to the new residency rules which came in on January 1st. And former captain Nasser Hussain is quite excited for it.
"I don't like last-minute changes but there is a special cricketer out there in Jofra Archer," he told BBC, "If you've got an opportunity to improve your squad before a World Cup you must take it."
That will obviously mean a threat and extra pressure for the rest of the fast bowlers - Tom Curran, David Willey and Wood himself.
"I think I am one of the guys under threat, but I wouldn't say that night and day I'm up worried about Archer's role," he said after the second ODI in Barbados which West Indies won by 26 runs.
"It is not really talked about in the dressing room or anything like that. But he is a world class player and I'd be stupid to think that if I didn't put in the hard yards that my place wouldn't be up for grabs, because he bowls quick as well."
"They (the selectors) pretty much know everybody - Tom, David, myself - it is a pretty cemented group we've got even without the likes of Sam Curran and Olly Stone, so we'll just have to wait and see what they do."
"I'm just going to continue with this bit of confidence I've got and some half decent form to push my own case."
Actually, Wood is confident that his run of form which saw him become "Player-of-the-Match" in the third and final Test at St. Lucia will help through this phase. He's been in a very good rhythm of late.
"When I came off the field and the guys said it was sharp, that was good to hear. The killer moment was when the ball started reversing," he added, "That is the game changer. It is all well and good bowling quick but if it doesn't move then batters these days are pretty good and can put you away."
"All trip I've felt in good rhythm, and even before the Test I felt in good nick, so I just hope I can get a few more wickets while I'm in good shape."
