Mark Wood will return for England in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge after getting through their final training session unscathed.
The fast bowler replaces the side-strain victim Jimmy Anderson in Alastair Cook’s final XI as they hunt the win that would see the Ashes regained but has had his fitness monitored in the build-up following a painkilling injection to his left ankle last week.
“It looks really good for Woody. He seems to have come through training pretty good,” said Cook.
Asked if Wood was in pole position for selection, Cook replied: “Yeah, I think that’s fair to say. I thought he bowled really well at Cardiff, didn’t quite get it right at Lord’s, and he’s looked fit and ready. Everything he’s been asked to do he’s come through with flying colours. He’s really excited for the opportunity he’s got.”
Anderson, meanwhile, said he expected to be fit for the fifth and final Test. “The last few days the physios have had a look at me and they’re quite positive on how it’s going so I’m hopeful for the Oval,” he said.
Wood suffers from chronic soreness to the joint and has had to manage the condition throughout his career. He was available for selection for the third Test at Edgbaston but saw fellow quick Steven Finn preferred, delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the eight-wicket win.
But Anderson’s injury has opened up a spot and Wood, who has bowled in training for the past three days and taken a full part in the squad’s highly competitive football matches following the use of cortisone in his ankle. No adverse effects have been reported.
The 25-year-old has only played 28 first-class matches but in the three County Championship fixtures at Trent Bridge he has taken 15 wickets. The England head coach, Trevor Bayliss, has previously tipped him to take the new ball in Anderson’s absence, although Finn’s devastating form at Edgbaston may yet prompt a rethink.
Yorkshire’s Liam Plunkett, whose previous Test came 12 months ago against India at Lord’s, and the Derbyshire left-armer Mark Footitt provide the reserve options.
