England’s tearaway pacer, Mark Wood, has opened up on the exasperation of being out of action due to a long injury layoff. The 36-year-old underwent surgery on his left knee and had to sit on the sidelines for 15 months. His opportunity to don the England shirt came in the first Ashes Test in November last year in Perth.
Wood bowled with a lot of steam and recorded figures of 0/21 in the first innings after bowling eight overs. The right-arm pacer sent down three in the second innings but couldn’t manage a wicket again. He couldn’t take any further part in the iconic series as he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, as his knee flared up again.
“It’s mega frustrating. It’s been a long time, over a year, since I had the initial surgery,” Wood said on BBC’s Strategic Timeout Programme. “To build it back up for seven months to play one game, and then be out again takes its toll.”
However, Wood still has an “eye on the prize” and wants to make an international comeback.
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“I’m still trying to get back to bowling, hopefully later on in the summer,” he said. “You’ve got to keep your eye on the prize, which is ultimately for me, trying to get to playing for England. That’s my focus.”
Wood knows he needs to bide his time as he can’t risk a hasty return at this stage of his international career.
“I need to take it slow. Realistically, I’ve got maybe one more chance at doing this right. If I rush it back, then it’s not good. That could be it,” he mentioned.
England’s upcoming red-ball assignment
England will take on New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home. The first Test will be played at Lord’s from June 4. It will be followed by the second Test, which will get underway at the Kennington Oval on June 17. Trent Bridge will host the final Test, and it will be played from June 25.
