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Pakistan vs England: Mark Wood delighted to return to international cricket, but is not focused on pace

Persistent ankle problems meant this was the 26-year-old Mark Wood's first England appearance since a Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October 2015.

Mark Wood picked up 1 wicket in the first ODI against Pakistan at Southampton © Getty Images
Mark Wood picked up 1 wicket in the first ODI against Pakistan at Southampton © Getty Images

Southampton: Mark Wood was delighted to give England a taste of what they had been missing for nearly a year after topping the 92mph mark on his return to international duty. Durham fast bowler Wood was back in England action during Wednesday’s 44-run rain-marred win in the first One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan at Southampton. Persistent ankle problems meant this was the 26-year-old Wood’s first England appearance since a Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October last year. His figures of 1 for 57 in 10 overs were good, if not outstanding, but of potentially greater long-term significance was the sight of Wood beating Pakistan batsmen with sheer pace.  FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI at Southampton

Significantly, his lone wicket Wednesday came courtesy of a top-edged pull by Sharjeel Khan through to England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. Wood, if he can stay fit, has the ability to provide England with an out-and-out express fast bowler that they have lacked in his absence. Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI Full Updates

But while others get excited by the speed Wood generates, for the bowler himself it’s just all part of the job. “The analyst gets quite worked up when I come in and he says ‘you’re bowling at 92’, he always lets me know,” Wood said. “But when I’m bowling I’m not thinking about how quick I’m trying to bowl, I’m just thinking about either a plan or trying to knock someone’s head off or something.”

“It’s not that specific about trying to bowl as fast as I can, I just give it everything I’ve got and if it’s that fast that’s brilliant.” Wood, however, believes he can be quicker still. “When you get that rhythm and match fitness back. I’ve been rushed back through to get some game time having missed the first half of the summer,” he said. Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI: Highlights

“And I’ve been desperate to play so I’ve not really had that time where I’ve been getting used to bowling and bowling again. I’ve only played two Championship games, and in one of those I only bowled 14 overs. So if I get that match fitness back up hopefully I can bowl even quicker.”

Whether Wood stays with his native Durham could depend on whether England award him a central contract, which would mean the cash-strapped north-east county would avoid having to pay his wages. “It’s complicated off the field at Durham, and everyone knows there are issues there,” said Wood. READ: ENG vs PAK: Jason Roy reasons dizziness with low blood sugar

“My situation is to focus solely on getting back in the England team first. I love the North-East, I’m a North-East lad. Am I confident of a central contract? I wouldn’t say so, but I know that part of the reason that we give out central contracts is to look after fast bowlers and things like that.

“If I was to fall into that category that would be brilliant. Getting looked after by such a superb [England] medical team that I talked about before, they’ve been superb with us. They’ve looked after me tremendously well to be honest,” he added ahead of Saturday’s second ODI of a five-match series at Lord’s.

“It’s nice to have that support and of course with a central contract you fall into that category where you wouldn’t go back to a county and they wouldn’t run you into the ground, and they get to look after you. So I wouldn’t say I’m confident because I’ve not played for England for a long time, and throughout this year I probably haven’t deserved to get another one, so we’ll just have to wait and see. But in terms of Durham, I’m focusing on England at the moment and I’ll see what happens there come September.”

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