England head coach Matthew Mott on Friday revealed that they are “keeping an open mind” about Mark Wood and Dawid Malan’s availability for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final against Pakistan on Sunday.
Both Wood and Malan suffered injuries in England’s last Super 12 fixture against Sri Lanka and were replaced in the playing XI by Chris Jordan and Phil Salt during the second semi-final against India.
“We’ll keep an open mind. It’s a short turnaround again: a travel day and then almost straight into it with one training session,” Mott told the BBC. “There isn’t a lot of time for them. Everything would have to go right for them to be available at the moment. And it is a real risk taking injured players into big games and I think you can really regret that.
“Sometimes you gamble when you don’t have that depth, but when you’ve got players that are capable of finding a way through and doing a role I think it makes the decision a lot easier,” added Mott.
Both Wood and Malan are hoping to play in the much-awaited final. Malan was moving much more positively during his practice session in Melbourne than he was in Adelaide. The left-handed batter is yet to feature in the final of an ICC event and enjoyed a lengthy net session and looked comfortable in every aspect. He also ran around the MCG with same energy as that of a man who is close to full fitness.
On the other hand, Wood said he is unsure if he will recover from his hip injury in time. “I tried my best to make the last game but I couldn’t bowl at the intensity and speeds required to play for England,” Wood told the BBC.
“I couldn’t get my hip going. Hopefully if required I can try and get it right for this game – I don’t know if I’ll be able to.
“The team did really well last game – if the captain desperately needs me and I’m fit enough then I’ll put my name in the hat like everyone else,” added Wood.
