The England fast bowler Mark Wood has admitted he may need to undergo surgery to cure his longstanding ankle problem and knows that Jimmy Anderson’s speedy return to fitness may see him miss the fifth Ashes Test with Australia that starts on Thursday.
Wood, who replaced the side-strain victim Anderson for the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, took the final wicket that saw England claim an unassailable 3-1 lead over the tourists, but has himself spent the summer managing discomfort in his left ankle with cortisone injections.
While he is available for selection for the dead rubber at the Kia Oval, the 25-year-old Durham quick has sought specialist advice for ankle impingement, a common fast-bowling issue which causes discomfort due to repeated impact.
Mindful of overseas series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and then South Africa this winter, England’s medical team may decide Wood needs a spell of rest or even an operation. With Anderson bowling in the past two days, that break may start sooner.
“As a fast bowler you are never 100%,” said Wood, who has 18 wickets in his five Tests to date.
“It doesn’t hurt as much when I take the pills the doctor gives us, but I’ve dealt with it for a while.
“I don’t want to miss games for England. I’ve had that many injuries so far in my short career that I never want the chance to be thrown out of the team. Long term, the ankle problem may need some work done to it – whether that’s time off or maybe an operation.
“[In the second Test] at Lord’s I struggled a bit, so it might be the case that I’ll have to miss games or have that operation. But there’s a big game on Thursday which I want to be a part of, then a heavy schedule coming up after that.”
While he is yet to come down from the stump-shattering moment in Nottingham that ended Australia’s 599 days in possession of the Ashes, Wood is accepting of the fact that a fully-fit Anderson would oust him as Alastair Cook’s team look to claim an unprecedented 4-1 win.
“Jimmy has over 400 Test wickets. He’s England’s leading bowler so if he’s fit and ready to go – he had a bowl yesterday and seemed fine – then it’s out of my hands. I’m going to prepare as I have every other game. I’m sure everyone would want Jimmy in the side, so if he’s fit, he probably gets the nod.”
Asked about the desire to become the first England team to win four Ashes Tests in a series, Wood replied: “If it was the other way round I’m sure Australia wouldn’t give us an easy rise. There will be celebrations after the game but we have to prepare like we have for every other game. Winning 4-1 would make it just that bit more sweet.”
Cook’s side were addressed yesterday by Roy Hodgson prior to their usual warm-up kickabout, with the England football manager watching both teams train as a guest of the Australian team doctor – and his former Liverpool colleague – Peter Brukner.
“I congratulated [England] on regaining the Ashes and wished them luck on their tours this winter to the UAE and South Africa,” said Hodgson, before going on to appraise their footballing skills. “They were good. It comes as no surprise that people who are good at one sport are good at another. A couple could probably have had a career in professional football but, thankfully for us, they chose cricket.”
The Test represents a chance for the No5 batsman, Jonny Bairstow, to be part of a winning Ashes team on the field, having been overlooked for the finale of the 2013 series. The 25-year-old scored 75 in England’s first innings in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, a welcome stint in the middle after his return for the third Test at Edgbaston was ended after 12 balls by a Mitchell Johnson snorter.
“I didn’t play in the game here in 2013 but was invited back on the last day. The atmosphere was outstanding,” Bairstow said.
“It is two years on and I’ve got more experience playing for Yorkshire and more experience in life generally. We’ve got a job to do here, we’ve got to perform so that we can enjoy the celebrations properly.”
Australia are set to go into the fifth Test without the fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has reported shin soreness this week. Pat Cummins or Peter Siddle are poised to step in, with the opener Chris Rogers, who will join the captain, Michael Clarke, in retiring after the Test, admitting the mood has been low since their innings defeat at Trent Bridge.
“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a lot of disappointment amongst the group,” Rogers said. “We came here to win and we’ve been outplayed. It’s been a difficult week. A lot of guys have felt a bit flat, I imagine.”
“This is a big last game. It’s Michael’s retirement as well but not only that, there’s places up for grabs as well in this side and no one’s going to be taking that for granted, that’s for sure.”
