Mark Wood expressed concern over England’s limited practice before the T20 World Cup, as rain washed out two of their four warm-up matches.
Defending champions England will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Scotland on June 4 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Mark Wood, the ace pacer, has shared his concerns regarding the team’s insufficient practice time before the tournament.
The English squad’s preparation was split between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a four-match T20I series against Pakistan, which was intended to serve as their final tune-up. However, two of these matches were canceled due to rain, leaving the team with only two games to prepare for the World Cup.
Wood, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, underscored the significance of warm-up matches in allowing the team to experiment with different strategies and assess player form. He noted that while some players were match-ready from the IPL, others might need additional games to find their rhythm. Despite these concerns, Wood maintained a positive outlook, stating that the team would not make excuses and would adapt to the limited preparation time available.
“Yes, we have got experience, but warm-up games always give you a sense of different things you can tinker with. Who is in good form? Who needs to work on other things? Some lads have been playing at the IPL and they are match ready,” Wood said.
“Other lads haven’t, and the lads that haven’t, is there a freshness? You want the games to practise stuff, but it is a fine balance. One or two of us might feel like we need a game or two to get going, but there will be no excuses. It is coming around thick and fast. Whatever preparation we get, that is what we are going to have to go with,” he added.
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Wood also expressed optimism about playing alongside Archer in the upcoming major event. Reflecting on their successful partnership in the 2019 World Cup, he emphasized the compatibility of their playing styles. While acknowledging the management’s role in monitoring their fitness for the tournament, Wood remains confident in their potential to excel together on the field.
Last Updated on May 31, 2024
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