Star England fast bowler Mark Wood has revealed that he seriously considered retiring from Test cricket when he was sitting on the sidelines with an injury last year.
No one will be more pleased that he didn’t follow through than captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum after Wood starred with the ball in both Tests on pitches that favoured batsmen as England claimed a historic 2-0 Test series win in Pakistan.
However, it could have all been so different after he missed the entire 2021 season after needing surgery on his right elbow.
These types of injuries are particularly pertinent for bowlers like Wood who rely on raw pace to overpower batsmen.
As it turns out, the style is perfect for the aggressive brand of Test cricket England are playing at the moment, called Bazball after their coach.
“I wondered if I’d go white-ball only,” Woods admitted when quizzed about his time out injured. “At some point, my body will say that it’s the way to go but I didn’t prepare for white-ball cricket, I prepared for all cricket.
“I desperately wanted to experience all this, with Stokesy and Brendon, so I’m pleased I’ve stuck with it.”
England’s series win is their first in Pakistan since 2001. The final Test in Karachi starts on Saturday.
