England fast-bower Mark Wood wondered if white-ball cricket would be a good option for him after his lengthy layoff due to an elbow injury.
Wood was the first to test since March’s series-clinching victory over Pakistan in Multan.
This was the 32-year-old’s first since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over.
“I wanted to live this experience with Stokesy & Brendon. Wood said, “I’m glad I stuck with it.”
Wood has had a history of injuries, including an ankle problem that required multiple surgeries.
After two operations on his elbow, he missed the whole of this summer.
He returned to Durham just in time for T20 World Cup. However, he injured his hip and missed the semi-finals and final as England won the trophy in Australia. He was also out of England’s victory in the first Test in Pakistan.
“I was wondering if I would go white-ball only. Wood was part of the England team which won the World Cup 50-over in 2019.
Wood took three wickets in crucial innings on the final day of Multan to help England win by 26 runs. This gave them a 2-0 lead.
England has never won two Tests against Pakistan in an away series and has not beaten them since 1992.
Wood said, “It will sink into the next couple of days how great it was to win here…2-0.”
“We displayed tremendous skill, but everyone gave their best effort. It wasn’t just one game. It was two games of maximal effort. It is a great feeling to know that we gave it all.
“We want to entertain and do different things in the dressing room. That is our motto. It’s a wonderful feeling to do things differently and have them written in history books. This is especially true here, as nobody else does it. “
England had only won one Test match in 17 when Stokes became captain. However, they have won eight of nine matches since Stokes assumed control. Stokes, an all-rounder, has been praised for his creative leadership and inspirational results.
Sky Sports spoke with Mike Atherton, former England skipper: “He’s going to be one our greatest ever captains when he finishes. There is no other captain that has had such an immediate and dramatic impact on the team since he took over. “
Wood played in junior age-group cricket against Stokes.
Wood said, “He’s always had an amazing cricket brain.” Wood said that he is more well-rounded now than he was when he was growing up because of the way he conducts himself and the messages he sends.
He was the alpha man who never gave up and would go after his goals. He still has all of that, but he has other sides.
“He will put his arm around people and express what he meant really clearly – I wasn’t sure he had any of the words in that locker. He’s been world-class. “
