Mark Wood taking nothing for granted as he walks fitness tightrope ahead of T20 World Cup and Ashes

NICK HOWSON: The England quick will be a key component of both squads in India and Australia, as long as his body doesn't let him down again

Selection success and Kohli masterclass... INDIA V ENGLAND TALKING POINTS

Knowing too well how injury can scupper even the best-laid plans, Mark Wood is forcing himself not to look too far ahead even with the T20 World Cup and the Ashes on the horizon.

The 31-year-old quick is likely to be a key component of Eoin Morgan and Joe Root's plans during the second half of 2021, but a fitness history that includes three ankle surgeries, a knee operation and several side strains means he is always treading carefully. Or at least trying to.

Wood has opted to skip the Indian Premier League in April and May to spend time with his family and it remains to be seen how much he features for Durham before the New Zealand Tests in June.

"I've got to come through a lot more than that to get to there," the seamer admitted, who will also appear in The Hundred for London Spirit. "My workload is pretty much week-to-week. 

"They'll be a conversation at the end of this tour in terms of what I do in the build-up to the Tests in England. Obviously playing games for Durham and getting my fitness right. 

"I've done a lot of work on my own fitness with the strength coach (Phil Scott) a lot of running so I'm getting myself in a good place. 

"In terms of my own fitness, it is a bit far ahead given the injuries and things that I've had. I'd love to be a part of it but there is plenty of work to do."

^{Can the Archer-Wood axis lead England to another World Cup?}

Central to England's blueprint to defeat Australia this winter is to have a depth of fast-bowlers at their disposal to take down under.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Olly Stone and Wood make up that cartel, with Ben Stokes providing support.

"It is great to have depth in the fast-bowling department," added Wood, who only played one Test last summer but played a full part in Sri Lanka. "Stoney did really well here in India so to have three quick bowlers, obviously we have two of the best fast-bowlers ever - one who is the best ever - in that group as well.

"We've got plenty of options, allrounders, fast-bowlers, skilful bowlers. 

"It'll be one great challenge to win in Australia but we're starting to put together a group that can challenge their batsmen and it'll be great if I can be a part of that."

For now, the goal of becoming just the second nation since 2015 to beat India away from home in a bilateral T20 series is just a win away, after the eight-wicket success on Tuesday (March 16) put England into a 2-1 lead with two matches remaining.

The key to both victories in Ahmedabad was success in the powerplay overs, an area which captain Morgan has identified as an area that needs improvement.

^{Wood is likely to prepare for the international summer with Durham}

Wood and Archer have combined to take seven wickets in their last four outings together during the fielding restrictions and aside from regularly testing the speed gun, they compliment each other perfectly.

"Jofra starts a lot of the time and because he keeps the pressure on that allows a lot of our team to take risks against other bowlers," explained Wood.

"He keeps it tight and when I've started well and got that wicket they've got a new batsman, you can get a few dots and build pressure that way. 

"It meant that when they did try and we were on our game then we got the wicket. It was just bowling in tandem, backing each other up and keeping the pressure on for each other. 

"Of course T20 can change quickly where a couple of boundaries or one boundary changes it straight away.

"So just trying to make sure we didn't give anything too loose and try and really hunt for those positive options and try and take those wickets early doors."

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