Wood lines up Kohli as his top target

ENGLAND fast bowler Mark Wood has laid down the gauntlet to Virat Kohli ahead of tomorrow’s opening ODI at Trent Bridge, telling India’s skipper: “I’m gunning for you”.

Wood is fit and firing after being rested for the recent T20 series against Kohli’s men, which England lost 2-1.

But Wood is aiming to help Eoin Morgan’s team reverse their fortunes in the three-match ODI series by taking down Kohli.

India’s captain has a poor record on tour against England, averaging just 32 in ODIs and 13 in Tests here compared to his career marks of 58 and 53 in each format.

Wood, left, is hoping he can continue his knack of picking up big wickets when the series starts in Nottingham.

“I haven’t bowled against him yet – I keep missing India with injury,” said Wood. “But for me, in big games, I’ve managed to get big wickets – Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, David Warner, Faf du Plessis, people like that. So I’m hoping that a huge player Kohli will focus me again.

“There’s no doubt he’s a phenomenal player and he may well get the better of me but I’ll be trying my hardest to give him everything I’ve got.”

FORMER England batsman Geoffrey Boycott is recovering at home after quadruple heart bypass surgery. The 77-year-old, now a commentator for the BBC’s Test Match Special, spent 10 days in hospital in Leeds.

ENGLAND’S women eased to a convincing 123-run victory over New Zealand at Derby. Having posted a formidable 241 thanks to Tammy Beaumont (67) and Natalie Sciver (54), they dismissed the Kiwis for 118. England are now 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series.

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