Advertisement

Mark Wood has no regrets over World Cup injury as he savours England return

AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Mark Wood returned to International cricket this week after his latest lay-off, but believes his injury issues have all been worth it to win the World Cup.

Wood tore his side three balls from the end of his 10-over spell in July’s World Cup final, was ruled out of the Ashes and did not play again until this week’s Third Test against South Africa, which amounted to six months out injured.

He has been in fine form, and took two wickets as England pushed for victory.

"I've missed it for a long time, that feeling I had before the game," said Wood of his return. "I hadn’t played any practice matches, hadn’t done any like that and didn’t have that fitness.

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

"But I knew things felt good in the nets. A little bit tired at the end of today, bowling a lot of bouncers but all in all I think I've stood up well physically.

Of the World Cup final, Wood said: "Every ball I bowled it got worse so I knew it was pretty bad then. I spoke to Morgs [captain Eoin Morgan] about just getting through the three balls.

"It’s the World Cup final so I didn't want to limp off after 9.3 overs. I got through those three balls and knew I was out the Ashes.

"I would not swap that for the world. To be a World Cup winner, I'd take that any day of the week even if I didn’t play another game of Test cricket. I’ve always got that to look back on and fond memories."

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Wood admitted that he will always be in pain after bowling.

"Somewhere [will hurt], yeah," he said. "I'm wrapped up like a mummy on my left leg. Something is going to hurt eventually but it's part and parcel of being a fast bowler. I'm not a natural 6ft 5in built like a tank so I have to give everything I've got to try and rev it up.

"I’m not saying that because I’m hoying up cliches, that’s generally how it is. I have to take it as it [each game] comes because that’s the nature of how I bowl. Tomorrow I could fall over for the 54th time in the game and strain my ankle or something like that. I’ll wait and see.

"I don’t like to say ‘my body feels good’ every time and feed you false information. I’ve just got to see how it goes. I’m in a good place at the minute, I’ve been bowling well in the nets, getting through this game well. We’ll just wait and see."

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

England need four wickets on the final day at Port Elizabeth, where there is more rain forecast. Wood admitted that his team were worried about the weather.

"I’m concerned," said Wood. "I thought Africa was the sunniest place in the world and then I come back and it’s like Durham.

"I think I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little bit worried. But because we’re in a hot country and the wind’s blowing, you hope that it’s going to dry quickly if the wind stops.

"We managed to get a lot of cricket in today and we played really well. If we have the same attitude tomorrow then and that same sort of bowling in partnerships that I thought we did really well in the first innings.

"If we can do that in tandem tomorrow and be consistent with each other and back each other up then I think we’ll be in a good place."

Read more

Joe Root shines as England dominate to take control of third Test