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England play down concerns over Mark Wood's fitness

By AAP Newswire

Jul 31, 2023

Mark Wood held back — England's key paceman Mark Wood was said to have been held back for tactical reasons at The Oval. -AP

England insist Mark Wood is not carrying an injury into the crucial final day of the Ashes at The Oval, as they hope rain can this time play into their favour against Australia.

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The most dangerous bowler of the series in the past two-and-a-half Tests, Wood was held back from bowling until Australia were 0-99 in pursuit of 384 on Sunday.

The speedster then sent down three overs, struck Usman Khawaja on the back of the helmet, and left the field at the end of his spell with figures of 0-16.

Play was called off shortly after when rain washed out the afternoon, with Australia 0-135 and in control of the chase.

Wood's low workload prompted fears he was carrying an injury, after an eight-year career dotted with setbacks and limited to 30 Tests.

But assistant coach Marcus Trescothick insisted that was not the case, and claimed the decision to hold Wood back until the 33rd over over was simply tactical.

"He's fit to bowl," Trescothick said.

"I think pretty much like everybody, there's little aches and pains that are going off the back of a big five-Test series.

"Both teams will be travelling in the same way at the moment. But, yeah, everyone is fit to bowl. It was a tactical decision."

A week after rain ended England's chances of regaining the Ashes at Old Trafford, the hosts are now hopeful it can come to their aid at The Oval.

Scattered showers are forecast again for Monday, and England must take 10 wickets while on the field to level the Ashes 2-2 and deny Australia a series victory.

But the hosts can see an upside to it given they have an ageing attack that has been asked to bowl far more than Australia in this series.

James Anderson turned 41 on Sunday, Stuart Broad is 37 and playing his last Test, Moeen Ali is 36 and battling a groin injury and Chris Woakes is aged 34.

Wood is the youngest bowler at 33, but England have generally tried to keep him to short, sharp spells in this series.

"The bowlers get a bit more time to put feet up (if it rains), get a bit more work with the masseurs and physios," Trescothick said.

"It's harder to bat when you have those interruptions, because of the on-off situation of concentration.

"You can always be a little bit fresher, and ready for each session or each spell when you get back out there."