Mark Wood: “That self-doubt, from my own point of view, is can my body withstand five days of hard cricket”
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England pace bowler Mark Wood has admitted that he is uncertain whether his body can withstand the rigours of Test cricket going forward.
Wood has a history of ankle problems and has undergone surgery numerous times. As a result, he has only featured in 10 out of a possible 40 Tests since making his debut back in May 2015.
While the 28-year-old expressed his love for representing England in the longest format, he reiterated that he is unsure whether his body can handle the physical toll that comes with playing cricket for five days.
“Test cricket is the format that I want to play but, if you look at history, it shows that I’ve not been successful at doing it,” Wood was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “That self-doubt, from my own point of view, is can my body withstand five days of hard cricket. The intensity is totally different.
“Playing for Durham, you bowl 20-overs in the day and you come back the next day and feel alright. You bowl 13 in Test cricket and you’re absolutely shattered.
“I am striving to prove my doubters wrong, prove it to myself too. It’s easy saying it time after time but until I actually do it it’s pointless. I have played that tune 45 times.”
Meanwhile, Wood has been playing in the ongoing ODI series against Australia, which England have already won.
However, going into the fourth ODI in Adelaide on Australia Day, England will be without seamer Liam Plunkett as he sustained a hamstring injury while bowling during the third ODI in Sydney.
With the 32-year-old out, it is likely that David Willey or Tom Curran will take his place.
Speaking about the duo, Wood said: “David struggled with a little bit of form last year but he’s gone away and worked on little bits and bobs on his action. He’s got his mojo back, swinging the ball consistently and looks really good.
“Tom, I think, is suited to one-day cricket with his slower ball and the way he gets his yorkers in. We have lads who can come in and do good jobs.”