Mark Wood leaves IPL early to stake Test claim

Mark Wood has returned home early from his Indian Premier League stint in an attempt to hold on to his place in England’s Test team.

In a post on Instagram, the fast bowler detailed the reasons for his choice. “The decision has been made for me to return home to England to prepare for the English summer,” he wrote. “Having worked so hard to get back into the Test team, and because I’m not currently in the CSK side, I am coming home to play for Durham to hopefully put my name in the hat for Test match selection.

“To the CSK management, players, and supporters, thanks so much for the support and welcoming me into this family club. It was a very proud moment for me to be presented my cap by MS Dhoni. Although things didn’t quite go to plan this year, I hope to be able to wear it again. I’ll be watching you from home and cheering you on.”

Wood, signed for his base price of 1.5 crores (approximately US$230,000) has played just one game for Chennai Super Kings this season, the very first game of IPL 2018. He returned figures of 0/49 in four overs and scored 1 in a Dwayne Bravo-inspired one-wicket victory.

Injuries have restricted the 28-year-old to just 11 Tests in four years, but he played England’s most recent Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, and though his Test record is modest – his average with the ball is over 40, and he has never taken more than three wickets in an innings – he remains an attractive proposition because he is one of the few England bowlers capable of breaching 90mph consistently.

Wood will play one first-class game for Durham, against Derbyshire at Derby, before England’s Test squad for the series against Pakistan is announced. England’s first Test against Pakistan begins at Lord’s on Friday 25 May.