I get a bit ahead of myself and try too much: Mark Wood

03/30/2018

England pacer Mark Wood, who scored a vital 52 in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand, revealed that he tries to get ahead of himself while batting. He credited the New Zealand bowlers for bowling well before his partnership with Jonny Bairstow has turned the momentum in England’s favor.

After a lackluster performance in the first innings of the first Test, the England batsmen did very well to stretch the game into the last session on the last day of the first Test match and ignited hope of an unlikely draw. But that didn’t happen as New Zealand bowled very well and took a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series.

England were in deep trouble once again reduced to 164/7 in the first innings of this (second) Test. However, Wood joined hands with Jonny Bairstow and launched a brilliant counter-attack as the duo added 95 and helped England finish day one with 290/8.

Wood returned to the Test team after eight months and was brought into the team in place of pacer Craig Overton. He walked out to bat at No. 9 with his team in trouble (at 164/7). He scored an entertaining knock of 52 to help England end the day in a good position.

He also revealed in jest that he starts thinking himself as Don Bradman when has reached the 20-run mark and hence ends up getting a bit ahead of himself.

“I worked hard in the nets this week thinking I might play this game. I get to 20 and I think I'm like Bradman, that's the problem, I try too many shots. It was nice having Jonny there, he kept it fun, kept it calm whereas sometimes I think I get a bit ahead of myself and try too much,” Mark Wood was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.

Wood was all praise for his batting partner Jonny Bairstow, who kept things lot simpler for him. He also said that he had fun while batting in the middle.

“I had loads of fun but the worrying thing is I've got a fifty before a five-for, so I've done that the wrong way round. I loved batting with Jonny, a lad I've played with and against since I was about 11 years old. So nice to do it with him at the other end. When I went out to bat we were in a bit of trouble. Jonny knows I like to have a bit of fun out there, so it made it easier - just having a laugh and seeing how it goes.,” Wood said in a post-day press conference.

At 4/5 and 164/7, England looked like they were going to be bowled out for less than 200, after the middle-order crumbled once again and Wood credited the Kiwi bowlers for their consistent bowling. However, with Bairstow and Wood helping England reach close to 300, the momentum has shifted towards the Englishmen.

“Maybe there was panic stations at one point but New Zealand bowled really well this morning. Maybe it felt like we just changed the momentum a little bit and brought it back in our favour. We rotated the strike well, that's one of the things Jonny does - he runs well between the wickets,” Wood added.

At 290/8, England are in good position and with Bairstow still at the crease, England will be hoping to get to a total close to 350.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all