England handed massive boost after Mark Wood’s net session
England’s title aspiration have received a massive boost after injured speedster Mark Wood, who was a doubt for the final against Pakistan, was seen sweating it out in the nets ahead of the titular clash at the MCG on Sunday, November 13. The star pacer missed the crunch semi-final clash against India due to a hip injury.
The outright fastest bowler of the tournament, Mark Wood, has been breathing fire down the necks of the batters in Australia. He has spearheaded the pace attack to significant effect in the absence of the injury-prone Jofra Archer. However, the Three Lions coped well without his services in the semi-final against India.
England’s skipper Jos Buttler had revealed in an interview that the team would like to give the pacer as much time as possible to ensure his availability for the final, and his words rang true as Mark Wood was seen bowling in the nets on Saturday. Although he was running a bit gingerly, it seems likely that the star pacer is geared up to face the Men in Green on Sunday in Melbourne.
If I am fit enough then I will put my name in the hat like everyone else: Mark Wood
Earlier, Wood had revealed his race against time to be fit for the finale on Sunday. The pacer remained coy on his availability but stated if fit, he would like to contribute to the team’s chances like everybody else.
“I tried my best to make the last game, but I could not bowl at the intensity and speeds required to play for England. I could not get my hip going. Hopefully, if required I can try and get it right for this game – I do not know if I will be able to. The team did really well last game – if the captain desperately needs me and I am fit enough then I will put my name in the hat like everyone else,” Wood told the BBC.
While Wood’s net session is a great sign for the English camp, there has been no update regarding the injury to former no.1 T20I batter Dawid Malan. Malan was the other absentee from England’s semi-final clash after the southpaw sustained a groin injury during his team’s final Super 12 clash against Sri Lanka.
