Hopefully there’ll be a few more thunderbolts for the Pakistan batsman.” A wide, engaging smile breaks out over Mark Wood’s face when he contemplates an England return in the opening Royal London One Day International against Pakistan this afternoon.
Wood is regularly delivering the ball at 90mph plus and plundered seven wickets in three NatWest T20Blast matches, including 5-50 on Finals Day as Durham fell to champions Northants at the final hurdle.
As quick with a joke as he is with the ball, Wood explained what it’s like to be back.
“I feel really proud actually,” he said. “It’s great to be back and the lads have made me feel really welcome again, it feels like I’ve never been away.
“I’ve really never been away from the medical staff as they’ve been with me 24/7 but it’s great to be back with everyone.
“After the first surgery to need another one was quite tough to take, especially as an active and energetic person, I can’t sit still and always want to be part of doing something. I had to have a bit of downtime but that’s all forgotten now I’m playing for England again.
“I don’t think that [being clocked at 93mph] has helped my ankle, it was a bit sore after that. But I’m obviously pleased with how I’ve come back, taking wickets has helped my confidence. If I can keep doing the right things in terms of my preparation, then hopefully I can play well for England like I have done for Durham.”
Wood took eight wickets in three matches for England Lions but believes the high-profile, intense pressure of Finals Day is the perfect preparation for his return to the highest level.
Having dismissed England colleagues Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance and Liam Plunkett in the semi-final victory over Yorkshire, Wood’s ankle was tested with a 25-minute turnaround for the final.
Although Durham ultimately lost by four wickets, Wood came through unscathed and described the experience in his own inimitable style.
“It was mentally draining because it’s an emotional day,” he added. “It was great to see so many Durham fans travel down and all our lads clapped them at the end to say thank you even though we got beat in the final.
There were Notts fans there because we could see all their yellow hats, the Northants fans were cheering all the time and the Yorkshire fans were singing their typical ‘Yoooorkshire’. “Then on the far side where I was fielding that stand was going ballistic, singing, dancing, costumes everywhere. It was a great day but it was just a shame performance-wise that we couldn’t get over the line.
“I was really up for it. Durham have never won the that trophy so all the lads were getting jeed-up in the dressing room and getting ready to go with the music pumping. People asked me afterwards if my ankle was hurting but it was my heart with all the drama.
“It’s a good transition to come from that to this because it will be same crowds, same pressure, people scrutinising you and seeing how you’re getting on. That was a good start and doing well gives me confidence for the England game.”