Mark Wood reveals taking painkilling injections, doubt for Adelaide as he admits age factor in recovery slowdown.
Mark Wood casts doubt on Adelaide return after painkilling injections.
Mark Wood has expressed uncertainty about his readiness for the third Ashes Test and acknowledged that, at 35, his body is not anymore able to handle the demands of bowling at 90 mph/145 kph.
The series opener in Perth was Wood’s first Test match in 15 months after he hobbled out of England’s Champions Trophy campaign in February due to surgery on his left knee. He bowled 11 wicketless overs throughout the game, but after complaining of more pain, he was referred to a doctor. Since coming to Brisbane, he has been wearing a knee brace.
During the second Test at the Gabba, Wood told Channel 7 during the tea break that he was not expected to be in the running for the Adelaide Test, which begins on December 17. Wood revealed that he has received painkilling treatments in his knee since the first Test, and speculated that age continues to catch up with him.
“I think there’s a chance there, but more realistically, it’s probably more Melbourne and then [Sydney] after that… I need to get out of this [brace] first to get moving around.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve tried to show resilience and keep coming back and keep trying to push it where I can bowl faster and faster, but I’m getting older now.
“I don’t know if my body’s not coping with it as well [as it used to] but I’ll keep trying. That’s something I pride myself on, to keep running in for the team and be a good team man. I’m hoping I can get this right and can charge in again.
“I’m trying to just get through day-to-day at the minute. Later in the series is what I’m aiming for, but I can’t do that much at the minute. I’ve had a couple of injections, resting up, and slowly but surely, running [will] start soon, then back into bowling.
“It’s more mentally difficult than physically. You’ve got to try and build it back up and come back again, and that’s probably the more difficult thing.”