MULTAN: England fast bowler Mark Wood said he considered giving up Test cricket during a prolonged injury layoff this year but dismissed the idea as he wanted to be involved in the new approach to the format under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Wood missed the entire summer after undergoing surgery on his right elbow for an injury suffered in March. He returned to England’s team for their 26-run win in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, taking six wickets.

Prior to his return, Wood had not played under the leadership of Stokes and McCullum — who have championed an aggressive, high-risk high-reward style.

When asked if he had contemplated giving up the longest format of the game during his spell on the sidelines, Wood told reporters, “Yes. I wondered if I’d go white-ball only.

“At some point my body will say that it’s the way to go but I didn’t prepare for white-ball, I prepared for all cricket.

“I desperately wanted to experience all this, with Stokesy and Brendon, so I’m pleased I’ve stuck with it.”

England won the first two Tests of the three-match series to register their first series win in Pakistan since 2000-01. The final match will begin on Saturday in Karachi.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2022