Published: Jul 12, 2016, 11:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 12, 2016, 11:38 PM (IST)
London: England have called Mark Wood into their second-string Lions squad for matches against ‘A’ teams from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as the Durham quick continues his recovery from ankle surgery. Wood has undergone two operations on his left ankle since he last played for England in the Dubai Test against Pakistan eight months ago. The 26-year-old returned for Durham, initially as a batsman only, in one First-Class match and a Twenty20 since the end of last month. But he is now set to be given an extended workout as a bowler after being added to an existing 13-man Lions squad, who will begin their campaign on Monday. READ: Mark Wood undergoes 2nd operation in 5 months
Wood joined the England Test squad at Lord’s on Tuesday for a practice session that eventually took place in the Indoor School after rain made the nets unplayable. Also taking part in the indoor session, watched by England rugby union coach Eddie Jones and assistant Steve Borthwick, were Wood’s fellow injured England bowlers James Anderson and Ben Stokes. READ: Sanath Jayasuriya, Brian Lara, Mark Wood and others who scored all runs in an innings in boundaries
Wood will also play again for Durham at home to Northamptonshire on Friday, before joining the Lions. National selector James Whitaker said: “The England medical staff have been working closely with Mark and Durham throughout, and a series of 50-over matches with the Lions offers a good opportunity for him to take the next steps in his return to cricket.
“He is a great example of a player who came through the Lions with an outstanding tour of South Africa in the winter of 2014/15 to make his Test debut last summer, and his inclusion should give a boost to this Lions squad, as well as giving him the chance to work with the younger bowlers in the squad.”
