All in with England: Pacer Mark Wood vows to put national duty above franchise cricket
India Today
England pacer Mark Wood has vowed to put national duty with England above franchise cricket as he returns from injury. The 32-year-old returned to action for England's third T20I against Pakistan in Karachi.
England pacer Mark Wood has vowed to put national duty with England above franchise cricket as he returns from injury. The 32-year-old returned to action for England's third T20I against Pakistan in Karachi.
The right-arm pacer made a stunning return to action against Pakistan, getting clocked bowling at 97mph as he helped England secure a 63 run win in the third T20I. Wood made a positive impression on his return to international action after being out for six months with an elbow injury.
The 32-year-old insisted that he is all in with England and is ready for England's Test series against Pakistan in the winter.
"One day we will have a conversation (about franchise cricket) but at the moment, I'm all in with England. For me, England will always come first and if I can fit anything else in, then great, but from an injury point of view, I think it's more a case of where I can get things in and where it makes sense. If they want me (for the Tests against Pakistan), I'll be ready to go," said Wood.
The fast bowler also said he grew up watching Pakistan legends Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, and values their opinion.
"They are guys I grew up watching. I look up to them a bit, so if they give you any praise, you know you must be doing something right. I value their opinion," Wood added.
Wood also praised Pakistan's ability to produce top-tier international fast bowlers, saying Pakistani pacers have a mystery about them that makes them deadly.
