Mark Wood credits England medical team for successful return

English cricketer Mark Wood, who is not sure about his place in the English team, is glad to be back in the squad. The 26-year old did not have the greatest of games in the ODI against Pakistan but he did turn up the pace as his fastest delivery was clocked at 92.7 mph. The bowler had earlier undergone two surgeries on his left ankle which kept him out of the England side for a while but a number of great domestic performances have helped him return to the national team.

As quoted by ESPNCricinfo, Wood said, "I had more than a little bit of frustration over the last few months.” He added, "To come back with Durham so strongly is amazing. The coach there, Jon Lewis, and the way that the whole England medical team have looked after me, they deserve huge credit. Jon Lewis basically said to not worry about going for runs and to concentrate on taking wickets and that confidence and getting a few wickets and playing the role that I did at Durham gave me the confidence to come back to the England set-up fresh.”

The surgery has actually helped Wood play without any discomfort in his ankle. The right-arm fast bowler also believes that the surgery would help him maintain his pace between spells and even when playing back-to-back games for the national side.

Wood also added that the pain in the back of his ankle, which was causing a huge problem earlier, did not trouble him now. The Englishman, who is amongst the quickest bowlers in the world, mentioned that earlier he could not bowl consistently at 90mph but he is working on that aspect now.

Wood said, "I would say I'm consistently quicker," he added, "I wouldn't say quicker at my top speed, but I have not got the pain in the back of my ankle, which was causing me huge problems. People were saying I could not play back-to-back games, but it wasn't that I couldn't play back-to-back, [it was that] I couldn't bowl at 90mph every day and I'm a totally different bowler bowling 90mph to when I am bowling 80mph. I need that pace and with no pain in the back of my ankle, I find that a lot easier on my body and that allows me to do that. Consistently it is a lot better for me."

The English cricketer expressed that he is desperate to show his bowling skills as he now feels that his rhythm is back. There is still an uncertainty if Wood will get a central contract from the ECB but a good performance in the series should help him sway the decision in his favour.