Mark Wood has insisted that he has no regrets about aggravating a knee injury during the World Cup 2019, saying the injury issues have all been worth it to win the coveted title at Lord’s after making his remarkable all-round return to international cricket earlier last week.
Wood, England’s fast-bowler, had not played a competitive game since sustaining knee and side injuries during the triumphant World Cup 2019 final against New Zealand in July last year, but he has managed to impress everyone with his brilliant show after six-months lay off in South Africa.
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He made his comeback in the ongoing third Test of the four-match Test series in Port Elizabeth, where he first scored 42 off 23 balls and then claimed 3 wickets and also pulled off an outstanding catch to give Joe Root one of his four wickets, as England pushed for victory against the Proteas side.
It was his first Test appearance since his last Test against West Indies in St Lucia last February, though he is unsure whether his body will allow him to play consecutive Tests and play in the final Test.
Wood told reporters, “Every ball I bowled it got worse so I knew it was pretty bad then. I spoke to Morgs [captain Eoin Morgan] about just getting through the three balls. It’s the World Cup final so I didn't want to limp off after 9.3 overs. I got through those three balls and knew I was out the Ashes.”
He further added, “I would not swap that for the world. To be a World Cup winner, I'd take that any day of the week even if I didn’t play another game of Test cricket. I’ve always got that to look back on and fond memories.”
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On his return to the game, the Durham fast bowler said: “I've loved this. I haven't played since July so I've been trying to enjoy it and take it all in. With the way my body's been I can't take all this for granted because it could be my last game. I had a lot of fun even if I did milk that catch!”
Wood further explained, “I've missed it for a long time, that feeling I had before the game. Hadn’t played any practice matches, hadn’t done anything and didn’t have that fitness but I knew things felt good in the nets. I’m a little bit tired at the end of today, bowling a lot of bouncers but all in all I think I've stood up well physically. I've missed it for a long time, that feeling I had before the game. I hadn’t played any practice matches, hadn’t done any like that and didn’t have that fitness.”
On his fitness for Test cricket, the Englishman said: “That’s too far to look ahead especially with my body. I don’t like to say, ‘my body feels good’ every time and feed you false information. I’ve just got to see how it goes. I’m not saying that because I’m hoying up cliches, that’s generally how it is.”
Wood signed off by saying, “I have to take it as it comes because that’s the nature of how I bowl. Tomorrow I could fall over for the 54th time in the game and strain my ankle or something like that I’m in a good place at the minute, I’ve been bowling well in the nets, getting through this game well. We’ll just wait and see.”
(With Evening Standard Inputs)
