by Mark Wood expressed his surprise – and his joy – not having received cotton treatment during the English Twenty20 series against India.
Durham’s quick quantity participated in the first two matches and is part of an unchanged eleven for the essential match of England in Rajkot on Tuesday, the hosts aimed at sealing a serial victory. India leads 2-0 in the five-game series.
While major challenges are waiting for him with the Champions Trophy next month and an Ashes tour at the end of the year, Brendon McCullum said he did not want to hold his rapids. Jofra Archer, another quantity who had important bodily problems, led the English attack with Wood in this series.
In relation: The West Indies face Pakistan for their first victory in the outside test against their rivals since 1990
“I was surprised but I was happy,” said Wood about McCullum’s desire to avoid rest and rotation. “I missed so many matches with England that when you have the opportunity, you want to play.”
Although he is 35 years old this month, Wood remains the fastest councilor of his team, without any indication that he has lost the slightest pace since his return from an elbow injury suffered last summer against the Sri Lanka. He recorded a time of 92 MPH by dismissing Abhishek Sharma during the defeat of two counters from England on Saturday, but admits that he is still in the process of finding his way.
“It is great that my rhythm was so high and I feel that my hand comes out well, but precision is sometimes not quite where I wanted it,” said Wood. “But when I haven’t played since August, it’s about normal: I have played two games since. I hope that the more I play, the better I go to the 50-over and the Champions Trophy .
As one of the oldest figures in the English team, you have to expect questions concerning the future of Wood, which he recognizes. “When you look at what is coming, you think: could it be the end or could it be the last time I play here?” he said. “You just don’t know it and I think that as you get older, it sets up more.
“Now, you start to think, there are all these young talents who arrive, am I always at the level required to play for England?” I have confidence in myself and as long as the circle near you – McCullum, the captain, your teammates – also believes in you, that gives you confidence.
Until now, the series has produced a central theme: the desire of England to attack at a rapid pace against the pile of spin options from India. However, while McCullum urged Wood – “it doesn’t care about races, just play quickly and take counters” – a little more nuance may be necessary on Tuesday evening.
“The other evening in Chennai, the ball was struggling, so the slowest ball did not seem to be the right option,” said Wood. “Maybe I can talk more about it as the series is advancing. It is this element of risk and reward, the fear of playing and that it does not go well when you have played well.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was appointed male cricket player of the year ICC, ahead of the nominated English pair made up of Harry Brook and Joe Root. The 31-year-old won 71 test counters in 2024 with an average of 14.92 and was the best quest for the Border-Gavaskar trophy which ended this month.
