MARK OF MATURITY TO FIGHT ON

MARK WOOD admits his longstanding injury problems have forced him to grow up in a bid to prolong his England career beyond this winter.

The Durham fast bowler (left) is plagued by chronic ankle injuries that have forced him to have three operations in the past three years and saw him miss out on selection for England’s Ashes squad.

Back with the team in New Zealand, Wood missed the first one-day international after his ankle flared up again. The results of a scan have shown no major damage but the 28-year-old is still set to miss the second ODI in Mount Maunganui overnight.

Wood opted to sit out the series opener in Hamilton and he now faces a period of rest and rehabilitation as he looks to get himself right for the remaining three ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand. “I could have gone out and let the team down, or made a grown-up decision and say it’s not quite right,” he said.

“I’ve experienced playing with those problems and it’s not done me any good.

“I still want to play Test cricket. Being back around the Test lads is a big boost.”