I’LL BOWL LIKE THE WINDIES
Wood aims to be speedster to fear for England
MARK WOOD is hoping the memory of a rocket-fuelled spell in St Lucia last year is lodged in the minds not only of the West Indies batsmen but of the England selectors, too.
The fast bowler conceded he has work to do to force his way into the starting XI for next month’s first Test with James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer ahead of him in the pecking order.
But like Mitchell Johnson preyed on English minds in 2015 after terrorising them in the previous Ashes series, the Durham quickie is banking on the memory of his first Test five-for doing the same.
“That was probably the quickest I’ve ever bowled,” said Wood, promoting Yorkshire Tea’s National Cricket Week at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, where the England squad are quarantined.
“Before the 2015 Ashes we had a big chat about Johnson so it would be nice to think that they might do that about me as well.
“It would be good to think they rate me as a cricketer and are concerned about what I could bring.”
Wood took 5-41 in that third Test in the Caribbean in February 2019, including four in 22 balls and the fastest delivery (94.6mph) by an England fast bowler since Andrew Flintoff 10 years earlier.
“Inside I felt in a great place, mentally and physically, and I still look back on that performance with fond memories,” saidWood.
“It gives me the confidence to think I could do well against this opposition again because of that previous experience.”
Wood checked into quarantine on Monday – an experience he likened to being “in a sci-fi movie”, with temperature checks, Covid-19 tests and with hotel and medical staff in masks.
Players have been told to make their own beds and are not allowed room service. They access a communal room instead and have to eat at solitary tables all facing in the same direction.
“I had my breakfast this morning looking at Jos Buttler’s back,” said Wood, right. “It was like being back at school in an exam.
“It is all a bit like a sci-fi movie. Everybody is masked up – you don’t know whether they are friendly or not.
“It is something we will have to get used to.”
England start proper training today ahead of a three-day practice match next Wednesday prior to the series starting on July 8.
“I probably put in my best performance in the last game [with match figures of 9-100 in the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg] but I don’t see myself being in the best
XI in home conditions,” said Wood.
“It will be about who trains well, who looks good and the conditions. I’ll push as hard as I can to keep my spot but I’m thinking in home conditions I’m maybe not the first name on the team sheet. We’ll see what happens.”
YORKSHIRE Tea National Cricket Week works with charity Chance to Shine to support and grow the grassroots of the game in schools and communities.