Mark Wood expects limited Ashes role: "I might not play any"

The England seamer believes he may be a victim of the large bowling resources available to Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum

Nick Howson | 05/03/2023 at 16:27

Mark Wood played a role in England's last Ashes triumph in 2015 but doesn't expect to be a major player when Australia defend the urn this summer.

The Durham seamer is among a large fast-bowling battery led by all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson and record-breaking accomplice Stuart Broad.

Fit-again Jofra Archer, Matthew Potts, Saqib Mahmood, Ollie Robinson, Sam Curran and Olly Stone are also likely to stake a claim for a starting berth.

It also remains to be seen whether a long-term knee problem will allow captain Ben Stokes to bowl, while Jamie Overton is already a doubt having suffered a stress fracture in his back.

Wood has ruled playing a significant role in attempts to regain the Ashes - he played four Tests in the 2021/22 series, and eight years ago when England last beat Australia - and is braced for a quiet summer.

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Wood took 10 wickets in the 2015 series to help England win the Ashes (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

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The make-up of England's attack remains to be seen (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

"I will definitely not play all five Tests," said Wood.

"I was delighted to play four out of five Tests in Australia. That was a big tick in my box to say that in a big series I can do it if Stokes or Brendon want me to play.

"More than likely the bowling stock we have, especially at home, I probably won't even play four. (Stokes) might even want me for one or two if they need a pace element.

"He might want to mix it up to keep people fresh but if people are playing well, I might not play any.

"I very much doubt, from the way they have managed me, I will play four. If they want three or four, I will put my hand up."