Mark Wood accepts that his function within the Ashes this summer time might be restricted due to England’s battery of quick bowling choices who thrive on dwelling pitches.
Wood was England’s main wicket-taker in Australia within the 2021-22 sequence, the place he featured in 4 of the 5 Tests, routinely unsettling Australia’s batters along with his specific tempo and hostility.
He is a prized asset, particularly abroad as his Test common sits at a good-looking 24.64, and regardless that that climbs to 40.71 at dwelling, he has solely performed 5 instances in England for the reason that begin of 2018.
While 5 Tests in six-and-a-half weeks and a sport beforehand in opposition to Ireland means rotation will likely be paramount, Wood suspects he’s not on the head of the queue in England’s arsenal of red-ball quicks.
“I will definitely not play all five Tests,” mentioned Wood, who took the wicket which gained England the urn in 2015, the final time they beat their previous rivals in a Test sequence.
“I was delighted to play four out of five Tests in Australia. That was a big tick in my box to say that in a big series I can do it if (captain Ben) Stokes or Brendon (McCullum, head coach) want me to play.
“More than doubtless the bowling inventory now we have, particularly at dwelling, I in all probability will not even play 4. (Stokes) would possibly even need me for one or two in the event that they want a tempo factor.
“He might want to mix it up to keep people fresh but if people are playing well, I might not play any. I very much doubt, from the way they have managed me, I will play four. If they want three or four, I will put my hand up.”
Wood had a busy schedule pre-Christmas away from his pregnant spouse, with separate white and red-ball excursions of Pakistan sandwiched in-between a six-week stint in Australia for the T20 World Cup.
He opted out of the New Zealand Test tour consequently however is in direction of the beginning of one other mammoth stint on his travels, having returned in Bangladesh for ODIs and T20s earlier than the Indian Premier League.
With the start of his daughter in-between the IPL and the beginning of the English summer time, it’s little marvel Wood has given little thought to the Ashes and regardless that an eagerly-awaited sequence in opposition to Australia is simply over 100 days away, he insisted he won’t be bowling inside himself till then.
Wood has a chequered harm historical past and missed all final summer time with an elbow criticism and the knockout phases of England’s triumphant T20 World Cup marketing campaign in November resulting from hip discomfort.
“I am never going to turn down the chance to play for England. If they want me I will be there and trying my best, but if they decide to rest me, I get it and I’ll be gearing up for the next one,” he mentioned.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
