England’s premier fast bowler Mark Wood has opened up about his participation in the upcoming Ashes. The 33-year-old said that he is unlikely to play all five Tests against Australia this summer.
Wood was the highest wicket-taker for his team in the last Ashes, where he picked 17 wickets. However, England lost the series 0-4, and Wood only featured in three Tests after that due to several injuries.
Talking to the media about his involvement in the Ashes 2023 ahead of the third ODI against Bangladesh, the right-arm pacer said he wouldn’t be playing all the matches against Australia. At the same time, Wood also added that he won’t step back if skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum ask him to play.
“I will definitely not play all five (Ashes Tests). I was delighted to play four out of five in Australia. I was knackered, wrecked, exhausted [but] that was a big tick in my box to say that in a big series, I can do it, if Stokesy (Ben Stokes) or Baz (Brendon McCullum) want me to play,” Wood was quoted by Sky Sports.
Wood further added that he might not participate in any of the games provided that other seamers perform well for his nation.
“More than likely, with the bowling stock we have, especially at home, I probably won’t even play four. They might even want me for one or two, if they need a pace element. He (Stokes) might want to mix it up to keep people fresh, but if people are playing well, I might not play any. I very much doubt, from the way they have managed me, [that I will play] four. If they want three or four, I will put my hand up,” he added.
Earlier, Stokes had stated his desire to have eight seamers available for selection ahead of the first Test against the Aussies at Edgbaston on June 16, but Wood suggested that there could be actually 10-12 lined up if fitness permits.
Wood last played a Test against Pakistan and is currently on England’s ongoing Bangladesh white-ball tour, after which he will be seen representing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
