Hales hits back as eager Wood seeks X factor
when England start their ODI series against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.
Mark Wood is another player with a point to prove.
The fit-again Durham seamer was much missed during the 4-0 Ashes defeat, where the tourists were consistently outgunned for pace by Australia, but he made a low-key return at Drummoyne Oval.
On paper he contributed little to the win, but figures of 0-68 tell only half a tale.
Wood, celebrating both his 28th birthday and his Test recall for the New Zealand series in March, needed less than an over to remind onlookers why he is treated as such a precious commodity, summoning a vicious bouncer that threatened Matt Renshaw’s throat.
He was comfortably England’s quickest bowler as they restricted the hosts to 258-9, but that probably counted against him on a small pitch.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit,” said Wood after a winter spent working his way back from heel and ankle problems with the Lions rather than fighting for the Ashes urn.
“I’d like to prove a point to everyone, to my team-mates and the media, that I can be that X-factor bowler that they want.
“Nought for 68 doesn’t read well. I reckon I bowled a lot of dot balls and a lot of fours and sixes, but I was really pleased with how it came out.
“I want to prove that I can add something different and I can do it for a long period of time and be consistent.
“That’s my role in the team, to ramp it up and be aggressive and try to take wickets by bowling fast.”
Wood’s short-term aim may be a successful one-day series Down Under, but he cannot hide the fact his Ashes absence hurt.
He considered himself fit enough to play some part during the series but understood the management’s caution, particularly after being honest enough to admit he has occasionally turned out for his country while struggling.
He said: “I’m desperate to play for England but there are probably a couple of games in the past when I shouldn’t have played and which hurt my reputation with coaches and selectors.
“I would rather be honest now than play and not do myself justice.”