Mark Andrew Wood, born on January 11, 1990, is an English cricketer who represents England in all formats of the game. In domestic cricket, he plays for Durham and has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for teams like Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, the latter in the 2023 season.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Wood began his cricket journey with Northumberland, a minor county team, in 2008. He played for Northumberland until 2010, participating in a few Minor Counties Championship and MCCA Knockout Trophy matches. In 2011, he debuted for Durham, his main domestic team, in both first-class and List-A cricket. Over time, Wood established himself as a key player for Durham and even played for the England Lions during their 2014 tour of Sri Lanka.
Franchise Cricket
In 2018, Wood was bought by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auction for a hefty sum, and in 2022, he was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants. Unfortunately, due to an elbow injury, he couldn’t participate in the 2022 season. Additionally, he played for the London Spirit in The Hundred competition, adding to his experience in franchise cricket.
International Career
Wood’s international career began in 2015 when he made his debut for England in all three formats: Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I). Over the years, Wood has become known for his fast bowling, consistently clocking speeds over 89 mph. He is considered one of the quickest bowlers in the world today.
2015: Breakthrough Year
In 2015, Wood was included in England’s Test squad for their tour of the West Indies, but he didn’t get a chance to play. However, in May of that year, he made his ODI debut against Ireland, taking his first international wicket. He also made his Test debut later that month against New Zealand, impressing with both ball and bat. Wood quickly established himself as a key bowler for England, playing in the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand and taking multiple wickets.
Ashes Glory
Wood’s Ashes debut in 2015 was a memorable one. In the first Test against Australia, he took crucial wickets, helping England win the match by 169 runs. Although he missed the third Test due to injury, he returned to take the match-winning wicket in the fourth Test, securing the Ashes for England. Despite some ups and downs, Wood’s performances in the Ashes helped England reclaim the coveted trophy.
Injuries and Comebacks
Injuries, particularly to his ankle, have marred Wood’s career. This forced him to miss several important series, including the 2019 Ashes and the 2019-2020 tours of New Zealand and South Africa. However, whenever he’s fit, Wood has made impactful comebacks. In the 2023 Ashes series, he was named Man of the Match in the third Test, taking seven wickets and contributing a blistering 40 runs off just 16 balls.
World Cup Wins
Wood was part of the England team that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup. During the tournament, he played a crucial role, particularly in the semi-final against Australia and the dramatic final against New Zealand. Although Wood was injured in the final, his contributions throughout the tournament were significant in England’s triumph.
In 2022, Wood added another feather to his cap when he played a key role in England’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup. Wood was the fastest bowler in the tournament and consistently clocked high speeds. Unfortunately, he missed the semi-final and final due to injury, but England still went on to win, making Wood one of only six players to have won both the 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cups.
Personal Life
Wood is married and has a son. He is known for being a teetotaler, meaning he doesn’t drink alcohol. Wood is also a supporter of the Labour Party and follows AFC Wimbledon, a football club. His down-to-earth personality and sense of humour have made him a fan favourite, both on and off the field.
