Will be fully fit for Perth Test: Mark Wood

New Delhi, October 16 (IANS). England fast bowler Mark Wood has expressed the hope of being fully fit before the first Test (Perth) of the Ashes Test series. Mark Wood has been out of international cricket since the Champions Trophy due to injury. Wood had hoped to return in the fifth Test of England’s Test series against India, but his return was delayed because he was not fully fit. Wood will reach New Zealand next week where he will join the England squad for the limited overs series in England and accelerate his rehabilitation process. However, he will not play in any competitive game. Wood said on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast: “It’s been a disappointing summer. I didn’t get any chance to play cricket and my knee, when you think you’re ready to play, wasn’t quite ready. I’ve been injured twice. Everything’s fine at the moment. I’ve picked up my pace. So I’m preparing well for New Zealand.” Wood said his rehabilitation process after knee surgery was grueling. You keep thinking everything is fine and go play, but then you get unfit. In the fifth Test against India, I was very close to playing, but due to swelling of the knee I could not play. The right-arm fast bowler said: “I’m in good form, bowling well in practice matches and in the nets. I can stake my claim in the first Test of the Ashes which will be played in Perth. There has been no immediate change in the rehabilitation. There have been some ups and downs but now I’m in good form, feeling very positive and fully prepared for that game.” Mark Wood is an excellent right-arm fast bowler. If he is fully fit and returns to the team, England’s bowling will become very strong. The 35-year-old Wood took 119 wickets in 37 Test matches. –IANS PAK Share this story Tags