Morgan makes his Mark
Durham fast man can be the key to Champions Trophy glory
ENGLAND one-day captain Eoin Morgan says Mark Wood is on course to emerge from his injury nightmare and be fit for this summer’s Champions Trophy.
Morgan, speaking ahead of the start of his side’s three-match oneday series against West Indies in Antigua today, believes the Durham man is on track to be available for the tournament that starts with England’s match against Bangladesh at The Oval on June 1.
Wood has not played since breaking down in a County Championship match for Durham at the end of last summer. The 27year-old has since had a third major ankle operation and recently admitted he had doubts he “would ever be the same bowler” again. After spending time with the England fast bowler’s programme in South Africa in January, Wood was pulled from the Lions tour of Sri Lanka.
But he is expected to make his comeback in the North v South 50-over series in Abu Dhabi later this month and Morgan has revealed that Wood, whose ability to swing the ball at 90 miles per hour could be key for England, is on course to be available for the one-day summer showpiece.
“Mark is an impact player, but he’s progressing nicely,” said Morgan. “His injury report back is that he should be fit for selection for the Champions Trophy.” That means England are likely to insist Wood does not play any County Championship cricket for Durham between now and the Champions Trophy in order to manage his workload.
“That’s certainly something we’re looking into, yes,” confirmed Morgan.
Such a move would not go down well with Durham, who will need all the help they can get to claw back a 48-point deduction after being relegated to Division Two of the Championship for financial mismanagement.
Morgan’s concern right now, though, is his side’s performances between now and the Champions Trophy – starting with these three matches against West Indies.
“It’s a series that I’d like to win 3-0,” he said.“Whether we do that or not is down to us. If we produce our best I’d like to think that we’d be there or thereabouts.”
England will take on a weakened West Indies side because of political wrangling that means most of their top players have not been selected, and they will not be featuring in the Champions Trophy.
“It really doesn’t bother me,” said Morgan. “We play against the best possible side that they put out.”