England pacer Mark Wood believes there is always an extra incentive for every player in the England team when they play against their arch-rivals Australia. The statement comes just before England play a bilateral series against Australia. Wood has been recalled for England’s white-ball squad after been dropping post the West Indies test series.
Australia are touring England to play a white-ball series against England. The T20s will commence from September 4 and will be played in Southampton. The ODIs will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from September 11 and will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. The Australian team has reached England and have been playing practice matches before the series begins on September 4 with the T20Is, as confirmed by the ECB.
Doesn’t matter what format it is, we’ll be desperate to beat them: Mark Wood on beating Australia
The 30-year-old England pacer says England is desperate to beat their arch-nemesis Australia. He also said that there is an extra incentive for all the players when the three lions face the kangaroos.
“Without a doubt. It’s always good when you play for England, don’t get us wrong, but it is an extra incentive when you play Australia, when you play the biggest rivals,” Mark Wood told ESPN Cricinfo.
“They are desperate to beat you, you’re desperate to beat them. And it doesn’t matter if it’s the Ashes, white-ball, T20. Doesn’t matter what it is, we’ll be desperate to beat them.
Full credit to them for coming over here in uncertain times but they’ll not be just here to make up the numbers, they’ll be doing everything they can,” he added.
I’ll still be trying to bowl as fast as I can at times: Mark Wood
Wood is ready to go all out against Australia and says he will be trying to bowl at his full pace at times. He says it’s not easy to bowl in T20 and they need to analyze the batsman more because of the different field settings.
“I’ll still be trying to bowl as fast as I can at times. You’ve got to be adaptable with slower balls and you’ve got to watch the batters a little bit more and be a little bit more on it because you’re not having three slips and a gully,” Wood said.
“When I first started 50-over cricket, I opened the bowling for England then when Jofra played the World Cup with Woakesy opening the bowling, I went to first change and I enjoyed that role. It’s never easy bowling in Twenty20, whether you’re up front or you’re in the middle. They’re coming at you 24/7,” he added.
The T20I series begins on 4th of September at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The Australian team played a few practice matches on reaching England because this will be their first international play after the lockdown.