Wood or Archer? Our writers pick their England teams for the third Test in South Africa

HUW TURBERVILL, OWEN RILEY, XAVIER VOIGT-HILL and THOMAS BLOW select the XI they think ought to be named by England for the game at Port Elizabeth, which is due to begin on Thursday

• Stokes named ICC men's cricketer of the year
• Only two England World Cup winners in ICC's ODI XI of 2019

HUW TURBERVILL

The last time we saw Mark Wood in a Test match was in St Lucia last February. He took 5-41. Serious licks. He finally looked as if he was ready to break through in the five-day game. The locals knew a thing or two about fast bowling. They were impressed. 

He played in the World Cup, but injury has kept him out of Test cricket. I’d give him his head here: a 14th Test cap. Port Elizabeth is flat. Wood has something extra for benign surfaces.

Don’t rush Jofra Archer back. Think more long term with him. He’s been bowling too much. The last thing he needs is to break his back on another road. Save him for the the fourth Test at spicier Johannesburg.

Jack Leach’s return home makes that selection relatively easy. Dom Bess was steady at Newlands. He may even score a run this Test.

I expect they will stick with the batting line-up as is. Jonny Bairstow – for no real discernible reason whatsoever except instinct – could always come back for the series finale, with Joe Denly opening, if Zak Crawley does not pull up trees again. 

My XI: Crawley, Sibley, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Bess, Broad, Wood

^{Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are competing for a single place in the England team}

OWEN RILEY

With James Anderson going down after taking his 28th Test five-for, England need someone to fill his considerably large shoes.

In a straight shootout between Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, my heart is saying go for the Durham man - it would be great to see him in England whites again - but the head is nodding towards Jofra if he is 100 per cent fit.

Archer has been inconsistent, despite taking a five-for at Centurion but perhaps the backing from his coaching staff would give him a boost. If neither Archer or Wood - who has not played in a competitive match since the World Cup final - are bowling at full tilt, then Chris Woakes comes into the frame.

My XI: Sibley, Crawley, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Bess, Archer, Broad

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XAVIER VOIGT-HILL

Why mess with a good thing? Well, with the inexplicable decision not to replace Rory Burns in the 17-19-18-man squad meaning there is no viable alternative to Zak Crawley, the Newlands Test was a promising display on all fronts for Chris Silverwood's men, and James Anderson's latest setback could once again allow Stuart Broad to be the senior figure who flourished in the Ashes summer.

Jofra Archer's elbow injury could be a blessing in disguise in the long run, giving the Sussex man a real opportunity to take a step back after a manic first year on the international treadmill and play his way back into the Test XI when absolutely chomping at the bit and fit to do so.

Whether that turns out to be in Johannesburg, Sri Lanka or even in the home summer, it doesn't matter – Mark Wood has just gone through six months of that same pain, and if he is on the money like he was in the West Indies last winter then it would be a bit foolish not to let him out of his cage.

My XI: Crawley, Sibley, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Bess, Broad, Wood

^{Dom Bess looks set to keep his spot}

THOMAS BLOW

This is the most settled England batting line-up for years. Denly continues to look accomplished at No.3, without being spectacular, while Pope has proved why he needs to be nurtured at No.6 for the foreseeable future.

The big question is who opens. Crawley should continue to deputise for the injured Burns, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Bairstow got the nod ahead of him in an experimental move. After all, England are always looking to squeeze him into the side in some capacity.

When it comes to the bowlers, Bess should continue ahead of Parkinson. The Somerset spinner performed admirably in Cape Town, going at just 2.29 per over in the first innings. And, with three five-fors in his first seven Tests, Archer for Anderson is a no-brainer. 

My XI: Sibley, Crawley, Denly, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Bess, Archer, Broad