Despite the fact that Adil Rashid and Mark Wood did
not play in either of England’s first three ODIs against New Zealand, they are
not unduly concerned about their fitness heading into the World Cup.
Three weeks out from the World Cup’s opening
match—against the same opponents—England is playing it safe with both players
because they are the two bowlers in their preliminary 15-man group who are most
difficult to replace.
In the opening ODI in Cardiff, Rashid struck early,
knocking Will Young’s off stump back with the outside edge of the ball.
However, three over into his delivery, Rashid had to leave the pitch due to
cramps. He came back to bowl five more overs, but since then, because of
“tightness” in his calf, he has been sidelined.
Wood hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the
fifth Ashes Test at the end of July since he chose not to participate in the
Hundred. Over the past week, he has been getting back into match shape. He was
not risked in the first three ODIs of the series because he had a painful heel
at the conclusion of the Ashes.
“He’s a big asset for us going into the World
Cup,” Chris Woakes said after England’s victory in the third ODI.
“You don’t want to risk him too soon. Bruised heels, I remember having
mine: you think it’s going to be a week or two and in the end, they end up
being quite long injuries that can always reoccur.”
Asked if Wood needed to play on Friday to get some
match practice before the World Cup, Woakes said: “A player with Mark’s
experience can go straight in. He’s not the sort of guy who needs a load of
game-time.
“Myself, I like games under my belt to build up
confidence and get up to speed. Actually, Mark is one of the guys I’m very
envious of, because he can steam in and bowl at 93mph (150kph) as we saw in the
Ashes. I don’t think it’s too much of a worry if he doesn’t play in this series
but hopefully he plays the last one [at Lord’s on Friday].”