Mark Wood, renowned for his searing pace, played a pivotal role in England’s victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, amassing an impressive tally of 18 wickets.

While injuries have disrupted his ODI journey since 2020, Wood’s recent resurgence in Test cricket, claiming 14 wickets in just three matches, offers a promising glimmer of hope for his return to the 50-over format.

Australia’s sole specialist spinner, Adam Zampa, is set to play a crucial role in the World Cup. With 45 wickets in the 50-over format since 2022, he displayed his prowess during Australia’s ODI series victory over India in March. Despite a challenging outing against South Africa, where he conceded runs, Zampa rebounded impressively, snatching six wickets in his last three matches before the World Cup.

Matheesha Pathirana burst onto the scene with his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in June. The 20-year-old has been impressive, snaring 15 wickets in just ten matches. His unique round-arm action, inspired by Lasith Malinga, but with an even lower release point, has caught the attention of many. Pathirana excelled at the Asia Cup, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps. Additionally, his experience in Indian conditions, where he starred for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, could be a valuable asset for Sri Lanka.

Mark Wood, the English fast bowler, expresses readiness to unleash more “thunderbolts” against Australia in the upcoming fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Wood’s outstanding performance at Headingley upon his return to international duty earned him the player-of-the-match award, as he recorded figures of 7-100 and contributed a crucial 40 runs off just 16 balls. His exceptional pace added a new dimension to England’s attack, unsettling the Australian batsmen who were unaccustomed to such speed after their victories at Edgbaston and Lord’s.

Wood’s teammate and captain, Ben Stokes, asked him if he was prepared to deliver thunderbolts before his first spell in Test cricket since December’s Pakistan tour. Wood’s response was affirmative, and Stokes backed him to unleash his full potential. Their close relationship eased the process.

When questioned about the possibility of replicating his performance in Manchester, Wood responded with a grin, stating, “Absolutely. Lightning strikes twice, eh?”

Although injuries have plagued Wood’s career, particularly his ankles, he remains confident in his ability to feature in the remaining Ashes matches, despite the tight three-day gap between the fourth and fifth games. Recalling his experience of playing four consecutive Tests in Australia during the previous Ashes series, Wood believes he can draw from that and perform once again.

Reflecting on his accomplishments against the world Test champions, Australia, Wood expressed pride in his performance, acknowledging the challenge of facing formidable bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. He considers it a great achievement to perform well against such a top-quality side.

Wood also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from fans, comparing it to the memorable 2005 Ashes series victory. He appreciates the outpouring of support both on the streets and through messages, emphasizing the strength of national support carried by the team.

England’s pace bowler, Mark Wood, is unlikely to rejoin the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad for the knockout stages of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Reports suggest that despite LSG’s qualification for the playoffs, Wood is not expected to make a return.

During the season, Mark Wood had taken a break from the franchise to be present for the birth of his second child. He flew back home in late April to support his wife during the arrival of their daughter. However, prior to his departure, Wood had expressed his desire to represent the Lucknow team once again in the playoffs.

The 33-year-old cricketer had an impressive stint with the Lucknow-based franchise in the ongoing IPL, participating in four matches. Mark Wood showcased his skills by taking 11 wickets at a remarkable average of 11.82 and an economy rate of 8.73. Notably, he made a sensational debut for the Lucknow team against the Delhi Capitals, claiming five wickets for just 14 runs.

As per a report from Cricbuzz, an official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that Mark Wood will be part of the plans for red-ball cricket during the upcoming summer. He has been included in the squad for the one-off Test against Ireland, scheduled to commence on June 1 at Lord’s.

Given the current injury concerns within the England team, Mark Wood’s presence will be crucial. James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Olly Stone are dealing with minor injuries, while Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the entire summer due to a stress fracture in his elbow.

After a great start against England, Bangladesh lost its first wicket. Tamim Iqbal was batting effortlessly against Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes. Liton Dass was gradually opening his arms even though he kept himself closed. But suddenly he was defeated by Woakes. Bangladesh won the toss and batted against England in Mirpur on Wednesday (March 1). After a long time, Tamim got off to a great start by opening with Liton.

But Chris Woakes broke the pair who were playing well. Liton Das departed with 7 runs off 15 balls. Liton was playing look-and-hear opposite Marmukhi Tamim. It took 10 balls for him to open the run book. However, in the fifth over, he announced that he would come out of the shell after hitting six off Oakes. But he had to stop there. In the very next ball, he got confused in the swing and missed the line of the ball, and went lbw. Although the umpire decided to give out, Liton reviewed Tamim’s advice. But it did not change the decision of the field umpire. Till writing this report, Bangladesh’s collection is 34 runs in 6.1 overs. Tamim is batting with 18 runs off 21 balls. Nazmul Hossain Shanto is his partner.

After the departure of Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain came to the crease and was batting with great ease. So Tamim, who was set, started playing after watching. But the careful batting was the day for him. The pace of Mark Wood beat Tamim’s wicket. Bangladesh batting against England at Home of Cricket in Mirpur. After a great start, he lost 2 wickets in the first powerplay. After Liton scored 7 runs, captain Tamim Iqbal stopped with 23 runs.

At the end of 10 overs, the collection of Bangladesh is 54 for 2 wickets. On this day Liton was playing opposite Marmukhi Tamim. It took 10 balls for him to open the run book. However, in the fifth over, he announced that he would come out of the shell after hitting six off Oakes. But he had to stop there. In the very next ball he got confused in the swing and missed the line of the ball and went lbw Although the umpire decided to give it out, Liton took a review on Tamim’s advice. But it did not change the decision of the field umpire. Tamim made a partnership of 18 runs with Shanta after Liton’s departure. The Tiger skipper was bowled for 51 runs. Tamim was beaten by Mark Wood’s pace and staggered on the bounce. He was looking so confused. He scored 23 runs off 32 balls with 4 fours.

Needing 355 to level the series, Pakistan’s sixth-wicket pair overcame the early loss of Faheem Ashraf to leave England sweating on their options as the new ball came and went. But Wood, with a typically irrepressible burst, pounded in on an otherwise unresponsive deck and prized out both – Nawaz for 45 and Shakeel for 94 – both to gloved short balls down the leg side.

Ollie Pope was the man to scoop up both offerings, although the debate will rage about the second – and most crucial – of Wood’s incisions. With a brilliantly gutsy century looming, Shakeel swung into his pull and under-edged his stroke, for Pope to make good ground and scoop the ball inches from the turf. Subsequent replays suggested, however, the ball may have made contact with the ground as his gloves closed around the chance, but guided by Aleem Dar’s on-field soft signal of out, Joel Wilson the third umpire deemed there was not enough evidence to overturn.

The upshot was that Pakistan went to the break on 291 for 7, needing 64 more runs for victory, but with only their tail to guide them over the line. Abrar Ahmed survived a hopeful review for lbw as he ducked into a low-bouncing short ball from Wood’s final ball of the session, but he may need to surpass even his 11-wicket heroics if he’s to pull this one round for his team.

With victory or bust beckoning for both teams, Pakistan had resumed on their overnight 198 for 4 – still a taxing but obtainable 157 away. Ben Stokes opted for a seam and spin attack from the outset, with James Anderson partnered by the off-spin of Joe Root, reasoning that the ball turning away from the left-handers was the better bet to challenge the outside edge.

Sure enough, that ploy paid swift dividends, as Ashraf, on 10, pushed forward at Root’s habitual round-the-wicket line, and Zak Crawley pouched a sharp chance at slip as the ball straightened and kissed the shoulder of the bat. It was Root’s 50th Test wicket – making him only the third player in history to do the 10,000 runs / 50 wickets double – and at 210 for 5, England was inching into the ascendancy.
Shakeel, however, was unruffled as he steeled himself purely for endurance, but Nawaz – pushed up to No. 7 ahead of Agha Salman – took a more proactive approach to his innings. A fierce sweep in front of square off Root persuaded Stokes to turn back to his premier spinner, Jack Leach, who so nearly bowled Shakeel round his legs with a sharp turner from outside off that flew away for another boundary, before Nawaz saw off the old ball with a superb cover drive in Leach’s next over.

Wood entered the attack for a sharp four-over burst – aided by a harder replacement ball – but when the actual new ball became available with 109 runs still needed, it was Ollie Robinson and Root to whom Stokes initially turned. Nawaz duly took the attack to Root with a brace of proactive boundaries, but Robinson – with his round-the-wicket angle – proved a greater threat, frequently beating his flirty drives outside off, until a rifled drive through the covers prompted the recall of Anderson to the attack.

Anderson duly found the edge, but only down through the cordon, and away for another boundary, whereupon Shakeel too decided that taking down the spinners was the best ploy with the threat at the other end mounting. He drilled Leach through the covers for his most forceful stroke of the morning, then top-edged a sweep in the same over that looped away to safety and take him into the 90s.

Stokes responded by turning back to Wood, whose round-the-wicket angle leaked another precious boundary as Nawaz flicked a short ball off his hips. But that would be the last moment of true progress in the session for Pakistan. Two balls later, Nawaz flicked to Pope, and England’s route to victory reopened.