England speedster Mark Wood has emphasised the importance of adapting quickly to the conditions ahead of their opening match in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. England was scheduled to play their first warm-up game against India at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, which was washed off on Saturday due to persistent rainfall.
As one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, Wood will be a key player for the English team as they aim to defend their ODI World Cup title in India. The speedster was also a part of the national team in 2019 when they lifted the trophy. With his ability to consistently bowl above 150 kph, Wood can be a lethal weapon for Jos Buttler heading into the World Cup.
Speaking to Dinesh Karthik ahead of the warm-up match against India, Mark Wood has mentioned that he feels a bit stiff after the long travel from England to Guwahati. He emphasises that the team needs to adapt to the conditions quickly.
“Been a bit rainier than expected, but every time we come here to India it really is humid and hot. I have been here only for two days but feeling the full effects of it already. Have to adapt to conditions quickly. A little bit stiff after all the travel, it was a long journey, but this is the start of the World Cup, so we are really excited,” Mark Wood said.
Defending champions England will begin their World Cup title defence against 2019 finalists New Zealand on October 5th. Despite the different conditions in India, England appears to have all their bases covered going into the marquee event in India.
Just Want To Bowl Fast And Take As Many Wickets As Possible – Mark Wood
Mark Wood considers warm-up games as a good buildup before the opening match against New Zealand on October 5th. He wants to bowl as quickly as possible to pick wickets in the tournament and hopes to avoid batting much as they have a formidable batting lineup for the mega event.
Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes, who were members of the World Cup-winning England team on home soil, have all kept their places in the squad for the mega event and they will look to defend the title in the Indian conditions.
