Birthday Special: England’s pace battery who can do wonders if he stays away from injuries
One of the most sought-after pacers in the English bowling line-up, Mark Wood is known for his impeccable pace coupled with decent lines and lengths. The pacer will celebrate his 33rd birthday on the 11th of January.
The pacer has been plagued with a string of injuries particularly to his ankle. Unfortunately, the injuries to his ankle were such that he was on the crossway of either ending his career or compromising with pace.
Only in the latter part of 2018 did the pacer decided to abandon his short run-up. He reasoned a longer approach to the crease in a bid to put less pressure on his body. This eventually allowed him to hit the speeds he aimed initially.
A year later, Wood played a tremendous role in the team’s eventual success in the 2019 ODI World Cup. The pacer concluded the event with 18 wickets, second to Jofra Archer who had 21 to his name. However, post the marquee event, Wood once again went through a phase of injuries. Hence, he was unable to display his true potential.
Despite featuring in matches inconsistently, the pacer tried to be a vital asset to his side and get the team major breakthroughs. Speaking about the most recent series, his four-wicket haul guided his side to a famous Test victory in Pakistan.
