Wood: I’ll give my all for dream Ashes call
Joshua Peck talks to Mark Wood about his recovery from injury and his hopes of success in the upcoming ODIs and an Ashes place
Joeisshowing thathecan beas Roothlessas ThreeLions need
It’s not just the opposition who toss and turn in their bed at the thought of bowling to Joe Root – one of England’s star bowlers admits he’s sick of facing the captain in practice.
Mark Wood has spent plenty of time in the nets recently as he attempts to recover from three operations on his left ankle in the past 12 months.
The 27-year-old pace bowler has bounced back, taking five wickets as England made it to the last four of the Champions Trophy, before being part of Root’s first England squad as captain in the recent series against South Africa.
Wood, who is supporting NatWest’s ‘Cricket has no boundaries’ campaign, played the first two in that series, picking up one wicket, before a heel injury ruled him out of the last two matches – self-inflicted after putting the wrong insole into his spikes!
Now he is aiming for a return in Durham’s County Championship clash with Derbyshire next week, before trying to win his place in an Ashes touring party this winter.
He’ll need to impress skipper Root though, with the likes of Toby RolandJones, Jake Ball, Steven Finn and Chris Woakes all battling for a spot alongside Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.
And Wood isn’t keen on having to bowl at Root again.
Wood told The Cricket Paper: “I’m sick of bowling at him, it actually knocks my confidence.You just want to hit the back of the net so he can throw one back but most of the time I have to pick it up walking back to my mark.
“He’s a nightmare to bowl at and he doesn’t leave any. I tell myself it doesn’t matter in the nets because he doesn’t know where my field is! Everywhere he hits it, I’ve got a man so it’s a dot ball.”
Root apart, Wood is refreshed and ready for the contest ahead.
“Despite this (heel) injury, I actually feel it’s been a good year for me. I’m finding this period really frustrating and I’m hoping my chance isn’t gone but I think with a good few performances for Durham, or if I can prove my fitness in the ODIs, then I can be in that party that goes on the Ashes tour.
“It’s a case of being patient and trying to impress, just like all the guys are doing. Toby (Roland-Jones) is someone I know really well having played in the Lions with him.
“Chris Woakes is back in the squad, and Jake Ball is obviously around too. You want your friends to do really well, I was really pleased for Tobes, but ultimately we’re all fighting for the same one or two spots.
“I didn’t feel I bowled badly against South Africa, I just probably wasn’t as threatening as I normally am. It wasn’t through a lack of effort, I just didn’t do myself justice.”
While he took just the one wicket in two Tests against South Africa, Wood impressed on his last performance against Australia.
Four wickets against the men from Down Under in the Champions Trophy not only sent the Aussies on their long flight home, but also posted a stern message to Steve Smith, David Warner et al.
Wood has the talent and, should he regain full fitness, the speed to surely pose Australia problems on their firm wickets when the Ashes get underway in November.
He is taking confidence from another bowler from days gone by, adding: “Darren Gough has done well out in Australia and he’s not the tallest like me (5ft 11ins), so I think I could be an asset out there. I don’t know what the England management are thinking and I know I would have to be right up there with my pace to really threaten and be that X-Factor.
“There were times when I was injured that I thought I’d never play for England again so there has been some tough challenges mentally. I’ve wanted to go A to C sometimes without going through B. I just wanted to get back to where I was but it takes time with big injuries.
“I bowled sharp in the Champions Trophy without being a game-changer. The match against Australia was really pleasing on a personal level but I was disappointed we lost the semi-final, because I really believe we were the best team in the competition.
“The Test matches against South Africa were a learning curve, mentally more than anything. It’s the first time I’ve really received criticism from the media and public so I need to take it on the chin, improve and come back and show people how good I can be.
“I really believe I can be one of the best in this country if I can get myself right.”
Wood played four Ashes Tests in 2015, taking ten wickets, with his overall tally standing at 26 wickets from ten matches.
It’s been a career often struck down by injuries, but even so the right-armer believes he still has luck on his side.
Wood continued: “If you’d have said to me a year ago, after my third operation, that I’d be back in the ODI team and managed to force my way back into the Test team, then I would have bitten your hand off.”
You can guarantee he’d do the same for a seat on that plane in less than three months’ time.
Mark Wood was speaking at the launch of NatWest’s #NoBoundaries wristbands for Chance to Shine. Find out where to get yours at NatWest.com/noboundaries
I need to come back and show people how good I can be. I really believe I can be one of the best in this country if I can get myself right