Touch Wood, I’m back up to speed
MARK WOOD admits he feared he would never get back up to full pace after back-toback ankle operations saw him sidelined for six months and lose his England place.
The 26-year-old fast bowler took 4-25 from four overs to earn the man-of-the-match award as Durham beat Yorkshire in the NatWest T20 Blast semi-final, reaching speeds of 92mph and bowling faster than any English bowler this season.
Fitness permitting, Wood looks certain to play his first international since he was injured against Pakistan last winter when England play the first of five one-dayers against the same side at Southampton on Wednesday.
He claimed the key scalps of Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan to prove he is back to his best. He said: ‘It’s been tough mentally more than anything. I’ve had some setbacks but I’m delighted to be back.’
Asked if he was in pain following his heroic display, he added: ‘I’m on that many drugs I think I’m all right at the minute.’
One over to Joe Root saw Yorkshire’s England star struggle lay a bat on ball. ‘He made me look like I was batting with my hands and feet on backwards,’ Root said.
Wood’s England team-mate David Willey may be a doubt for the one-dayers after the Yorkshire star injured a hand in the semi.