”I’ve done is concentrate on myself”: Mark Wood

Pace-spearhead Mark Wood recently shared that he has no regrets for his knee injury during England’s successful triumph at last year’s ICC World Cup final. However, his injury sidelined him for six months. Wood, who hurt his left knee and suffered a side strain as well during their win over New Zealand at Lord’s in July, has returned to the England squad for the third Test against South Africa.

“I had three balls left and every ball I bowled it got worse. I knew it was pretty bad then, but it was the World Cup final, it’s your dream game and I didn’t want to limp off. So I got through those last three balls,” said Mark Wood.

After his surgery, he also missed the Ashes series as well. Even he was out of the action before this week’s Test in Port Elizabeth.

“It was absolutely a risk worth taking. I wouldn’t swap it for anything. 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 got that to look back on with great memories, the pinnacle of my career,” added Wood.

However, he impressed everyone while he came to bat at number 11 and scored a scintillating 42 runs off only 23 balls which included five sixes and England declared on 499 for nine in their first innings.

“Absolutely loved it. I got 50 in New Zealand (in 2018) and the fact that you get 50 is great, but that (against South Africa) was great fun. I was just having a go,” he shared.

Mark Wood bowled for the very first time in 11 months but failed to take a wicket in the first innings. But he dismissed opener Dean Elgar in the second.

“Since I’ve been out of the team all I’ve done is concentrate on myself, trying to get myself in the best place,” he concluded.