Fast-bowler Mark Wood said that England will use the same mentality that helped them to win their maiden 50-over World Cup trophy on home soil last year in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, as they are gearing up start build for the mega event with the South Africa series.
Wood had been out of action since the World Cup 2019 due to an intercostal injury and recently returned to England side in the final two matches of the Test series in South Africa.
Well, the bowler is likely to feature in all three matches of the upcoming T20I series starting at Buffalo Park on Wednesday, February 12 after his triumphant return to the England test team, taking 12 wickets and also shining with the bat as well.
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As England will start their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2020 with the Proteas series, the seamer hopes the World Cup champions can repeat their T20 World Cup victory of 2010 later in the year in Australia.
Wood told reporters on Tuesday, “The white ball ‘journey’ that we went on, which changed the way we played, is just continuing now from the 50-over game into the Twenty20. It is the same sort of motivation, same team dynamic, the same way we want to play.”
He continued, “Taking the aggressive option, the attacking intent and always looking to be on the front foot. Whether it is 50-over or Twenty20, it will be the same.”
The pacer also believes that there will be tough competition for the places for the T20 World Cup 2020 and every opportunity to perform must be taken.
He further explained, “We have got so many good players coming through, it is not like we have just 15 players that are nailed on, there are 25 players who could come into this team and do really well. If you are picked, you are picked to perform and if you don’t perform there are people waiting in the wings and working hard to win a place. There are people who are not here (in South Africa) that will be working for a spot (at the World Cup).”
The 30-year-old also insisted that he is not taking anything for granted after having missed a lot of cricket since the World Cup 2019 due to injury, saying he just wants to keep playing for England.
Wood signed off by saying, “On the back of the test tour and having missed a lot of cricket in the last year, I am desperate to ride this wave and keep playing for England.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
