Mark Wood hands England major injury boost as he completes training camp with Lions squad and continues to near return to full fitness
- Wood reached speeds of 93 miles per hour during the weeklong camp
- He has missed Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand but could return soon
- The 34-year-old is all set to play the White Ball Series against India next month
England trickled out with good news on Wednesday as fast bowler Mark Wood hit 92 miles per hour on the final day of a week-long rehabilitation in South Africa.
On the day Harry Brook replaced teammate Joe Root as No. 1 batsman in the world Test rankings after his second hundred wins over New Zealand, Wood was approaching top speed after completing his entire run on another continent.
The 34-year-old returns home on Thursday after spending seven days training alongside England Lions in Cape Town.
While a Lions team surprisingly fielded 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff in the middle order, South Africa conceded a deficit of 133 runs in the first innings. A – Flintoff made it four – Wood turned up the intensity in the nets and sent the speed gun past the magical 90 mark in his farewell training session.
It appears the latest injury in a series of setbacks is behind him: Wood was already out of the last two Tests against South Africa with a thigh problem when a routine scan of a troublesome elbow he had surgery on in 2022 revealed a stress fracture brought. .
He then missed the test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand that end in Hamilton on Friday.
Mark Wood (left) achieved paces of up to 92 meters per hour during training on Wednesday
He missed the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand due to injury but is closing in on a return
The 34-year-old is expected to be available for the white-ball series against India next month
But he appears to be on course to be available for the white-ball series in India next month and the Champions Trophy in February.
As England’s fastest bowler, he is also seen as an integral part of a mission to beat Australia in next winter’s Ashes. During the 2021-2022 tour down under, his 17 wickets in four appearances made him the most prolific among the tourists.
Announcing his four-month absence earlier this year, Wood said: “I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling. See you soon for some rockets in 2025!’
The Durham player was in exciting form last summer, reaching 93.1mph at one point during the second Test victory over the West Indies at Trent Bridge.
Jofra Archer, also plagued by elbow problems, has also indicated his intention to be part of what will become an England bowling group in eleven months’ time, complementing current incumbents Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson and possibly Olly Stone and Josh Tong.