INJURY HELL HAS WOOD FIRED UP

ENGLAND v IRELAND 2nd ODI, Lord’s, 10.30am, Sky Sports MARK WOOD reckons he can fight for England on all fronts, following his ankle nightmare.

The 27-year-old was operating around 90mph in his return against Ireland at Bristol on Friday and beat Paul Stirling for pace as he took his first international wicket since September. Fearing that he might never play for England again, Wood (below) is now convinced he can be the X Factor bowler the national side will need in their busiest year ever.

“I thought the dream was gone at times,” he admitted. “But I’m delighted to be back, playing for England. I was very nervous for my first over, but I was fine after that and getting the wicket was special. With the ankle loosened up, I can bowl 10 overs in a match, no problem at all. “I would say it is the end of the major ankle trouble that I’ve had. Three operations later and with all the strapping I have and the training I do, I’m pretty confident now I could get through any sort of international cricket, be it Test, one-day or Twenty20.”

Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings will both head back to the IPL, following today’s game against Ireland at Lord’s, where they could play another three matches for their franchises.