Wood quick to say he can go faster
MARK Wood believes he can crank up his genuine express pace even further still despite comfortably topping 90mph on his long-awaited England return.
The Durham paceman (pictured right) has put all thoughts of chasing a new central contract to the back of his mind to focus on re-establishing himself with England.
The 26-year-old has spent a year battling ankle trouble and undergoing two operations, but is finally approaching something like top speed.
Wood topped 92mph in England’s rain-hit 44-run one-day international victory over Pakistan at Southampton.
Asked if he can still up the ante on the speed front, Wood said: “I reckon I could, yeah.
“I have been rushed back to get some game time having missed the first half of the summer.
“I have been desperate to play so I have not really had that time where I have been getting used to bowling and bowling again.
“I have only played two Championship games and in one of those I only bowled 14 overs.
“So if I get that match fitness back up hopefully I can bowl even quicker.”
England will take on Pakistan in the second of five one-day clashes at Lord’s tomorrow,. Wood hoping he can back up his impressive opening-clash showing.
With Durham embroiled in financial struggles and Wood’s central contract up for renewal, he insisted he must simply focus on finding his niche in England’s short-format line-ups.
He added: “It is complicated off the field at Durham and everyone knows there are issues there.
“My situation is to focus solely on getting back in the England team first.
“I love the North East, I am a North East lad.
“Am I confident of a central contract? I would not say so but I know that part of the reason we give out central contracts is to look after fast bowlers and things like that.
“If I was to fall into that category that would be brilliant.” ■■ONLY eight overs were bowled on the third day of Durham’s Specsavers County Championship match against Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street.
The visitors added 29 runs without loss to reach 344-7, stretching their lead to 137 runs, before play was abandoned for poor light at 2.15.