‘It’s a relief — there have been dark days’

MARK WOOD was pleased to finally silence the doubters after taking his maiden Test five-wicket haul. The Durham fast bowler has long been viewed as a fine talent, but three ankle operations have curtailed his progress. ‘I am pretty pleased with how it’s gone. It’s nice to show some people who have doubted me in the past — I have even doubted myself — that I can do it,’ Wood said. ‘There have been some horrible dark days through injury that have knocked my confidence and self-belief but I thought in my own mind I was an England player. It was a relief to show it.’ Admitting he became emotional afterwards, Wood revealed that this display topped his efforts against Australia in 2015. ‘For me it was better. Everyone wants to take the winning Ashes wicket, don’t get me wrong, but I would trade it in for a few more five-fors,’ he said. One Wood delivery — clocked at 94.6mph — was the fastest so far recorded during the three Tests here. ‘That was past my expectations and was probably a bit of the adrenaline running through me. I wasn’t really looking at the speed gun, to be honest. ‘I felt in good rhythm and all I was focused on was the batter. ‘At one point Moeen Ali ran up to me and asked whether I wanted a mid-on. I said, “I think someone’s there”. But he told me I hadn’t had one for five or six overs.’