England fast bowler Mark Wood believes that age is catching up with him as despite his best efforts, his body is no longer allowing him to deal with his injuries. Wood’s career has been full of injuries and the eldest member of the English team feels that he is getting older.
Despite missing the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England fielded a ferocious pace attack on Australian soil, with perhaps the most promising English bowling deck in the Ashes. However, his campaign has suffered due to injuries.
One of the most capable and most experienced of these bowlers is England’s brilliant pace machine Mark Wood. However, the 35-year-old, who was already out due to knee surgery, came back to bowl only 11 wicketless overs in Perth before being ruled out again.
Mark Wood rules out return ahead of Adelaide Test
Mark Wood himself has raised doubts over his availability for the third Ashes Test, which is to be played at the Adelaide Oval. He has addressed the issues he has been facing recently and said that age could be a hindrance to his comeback.
Speaking to Channel 7 during the tea break of the pink-ball Test in Brisbane, Wood admitted he was unlikely to be available for the Adelaide game, starting on December 17. However, he was positive about his comeback ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
“I think there’s a chance there, but more realistically, it’s probably even more in Melbourne and [Sydney] After that… I have to get out of this [brace] First of all, moving around,” Wood said.
He revealed that he has been taking pain-killing injections in his knee since the first Test and claimed that age is catching up with him.
“Throughout my career, I’ve tried to show resilience and keep coming back and trying to push it to where I can bowl faster and faster, but now I’m getting older,” he said.
“I don’t know if my body can’t handle it [as it used to] But I’ll keep trying,” says Mark Wood
Mark Wood, despite having doubts about his physical attributes, takes pride in running for England and is therefore trying to get this right and return to the field. He has revealed that now on the injection he plans to take up running soon and then eventually bowling.
“I don’t know if my body can’t handle it [as it used to] But I will keep trying. That’s something I’m proud of, running for the team and being a good team man. I hope I can fix it and get it charging again.
“I’m just trying to take it day by day at the moment. That’s what I’m aiming for in the later series, but I can’t do that much at the moment. I’ve had some injections, am resting and slowly but surely running [will] Start early, then get back to bowling,” Wood concluded.
“It’s harder mentally than physically,” claims Wood.
Mark Wood also believes that his comeback will now be more of a mental challenge than a physical difficulty. “It’s more difficult mentally than physically. You have to try and get stronger and come back again, and that’s probably the more difficult thing,” Wood said.
However, the England captain is hopeful of the return of his long-time partner, as he pointed out that with a lot of days left in the Adelaide Test and the series, Wood will certainly be in contention for selection.
Ben Stokes said, “We have a lot of time to go on this tour and we will see how things progress.”
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