Players will have their eyes on big time - Wood

Mark Wood expects a surge of standards in this summer’s Vitality Blast as hopefuls try to bag a place in the big time – and maybe one day end up playing for the ‘Northern Numpties’.

Wood predicts a nation full of professionals out to catch the eye for the England and Wales Cricket Board’s inaugural eightteam tournament in 2020.

The Durham seamer, like England team-mate and Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan, will be free to start this year’s campaign after being left out of Vitality IT 20s against Australia and India.

Wood is rested, while Malan has not kept his place despite a stellar start to his career.

Instead, respective derby fixtures against Yorkshire at Headingley and at home to Surrey beckon.

Wood said: “In the next couple of years in the Blast, there’ll definitely be some people out to impress.”

The proposed format of 100 balls per team in 2020, rather than 20 overs, has divided opinion.

Either way, Wood anticipates a skilled scrap to be involved.

“(When) the hundredball competition does come about, there’s fewer teams and players … so I hope that raises the standard. We will have a job persuading Durham fans to go and watch a team in Leeds, because it’s a bit of a trek, but I hope they do... especially if I am playing!’”

The ECB has yet to decide on names for the new franchises, but Wood already has a word of advice.

“If it was a ‘Northern Numpties’ … I think that would [make them] more involved,” he said of a North East audience which already laps up the Blast.

“Durham don’t get massive crowds in the county championship and 50-over stuff - but then we’ll play Yorkshire in a Twenty20, and it’s our biggest game.”

As for the switch to 100 balls, he is prepared to give it a go.

“I’ve been to the Indian Premier League and spoken to some big names who are a little bit iffy about the whole concept … but I’m still quite open to try something new. I don’t think you’re going to play it at international level.”