Mark Wood believes he is “quietly confident” that he will be healthy and prepared to play in the November 21 first Ashes Test in Perth.
At Headingley in the 2023 series, Mark Wood was selected player of the match after dominating Australia with his pace and taking the most wickets during England’s 4-0 loss in the 2021–22 Ashes. But following knee surgery, he missed the full English summer and hasn’t bowled in a competitive match since the Champions Trophy in February.
He was spotted bowling in the nets with his international teammates during the summer, and he had originally set his sights on a possible comeback in the fifth Test of England’s Test series against India. He did, however, describe oedema that necessitated draining fluid from his knee. He missed Durham’s County Championship run-in due to a similar setback.
Mark Wood won’t play in a competitive match, but he will join England’s white-ball teams when he arrives in New Zealand next week to continue his recovery. In recent weeks, he has been bowling in the hot marquee at England’s training camp in Loughborough, and he feels he is in a “good position” going into the Ashes.
“It was a frustrating summer,” Mark Wood commented on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.
Sometimes you think you’re almost ready to play, but your knee wasn’t quite there, so I didn’t get to play any cricket.
“In the tent, things have been going OK, but I was knocked back a few times. I’ve been working hard and the pace is increasing, so I’m settling in well to New Zealand before moving on to Australia.
“Hopefully, I can put my best foot forward for that match [in Perth] since I’m in form and bowling well in the nets and in the practice matches. Rehabilitation hasn’t been a smooth ride. Despite some ups and downs, I’m in a decent place right now and am trying to get going for that game.
“I never want to respond by saying, ‘Yes, I’m full of energy and ready.'” I’m quietly confident, though, because I’m feeling much more upbeat and in a confident position right now.”
Wood described his knee surgery recovery as “annoying” and that it has been different from his prior elbow and ankle problems. He clarified, saying: “You keep thinking, ‘I’m almost there,’ and you’re about to pull the trigger to start playing. I came so close against India in the fifth Test, but my knee swelled up when I was at my best and I had to have it drained.
“Even though I was really close to playing a game with Durham at the end of the season, I continued getting this minor swelling. Given what was about to happen, the ECB said, “Look, we don’t need to take that risk.” Fortunately, I haven’t had such oedema in the last several bowling sessions. It’s far more optimistic.
Along with spending some time with the England Lions, Mark Wood has also been preparing his coaching credentials for his post-playing future. He is pursuing his Level Three coaching certification alongside a number of former England players, like as Chris Jordan, Sarah Taylor, Chris Woakes, and Steven Finn.
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