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'It was absolutely a risk worth taking. I wouldn’t swap it for anything. To be a World Cup winner, I’d take that any day of the week. Even if I didn’t play another game of Test cricket I’ve got that to look back on with great memories, the pinnacle of my career'
Fast bowler Mark Wood said he has no regrets about aggravating a knee injury during England’s triumphant showing at last year’s World Cup final, even though it left him sidelined for six months.
Wood, who hurt his left knee and suffered a side strain during the victory over New Zealand at Lord’s in July, returned to the England line-up for the third Test against South Africa.
“I had three balls left and every ball I bowled it got worse. I knew it was pretty bad then, but it was the World Cup final, it’s your dream game and I didn’t want to limp off. So I got through those last three balls,” said Wood.
After undergoing surgery, he ended up missing the Ashes as he was out of competitive action until this week’s Test in Port Elizabeth.
“It was absolutely a risk worth taking. I wouldn’t swap it for anything. To be a World Cup winner, I’d take that any day of the week. Even if I didn’t play another game of Test cricket I’ve got that to look back on with great memories, the pinnacle of my career,” said Wood.
Wood made his presence felt quickly as he came in at number 11 and scored a breathtaking 42 runs off just 23 balls, including five sixes, as England declared on 499 for nine in their first innings.
“Absolutely loved it. I got 50 in New Zealand (in 2018) and the fact that you get 50 is great, but that (against South Africa) was great fun. I was just having a go.”
Wood bowled for the first time in a Test in 11 months and worked up some furious pace but did not take a first innings wicket.
But he clean bowled opener Dean Elgar as South Africa began their follow-on and then snagged Zubayr Hamza to begin the home team’s second innings slump.
Wood also took a difficult catch to dismiss South Africa danger man Quinton de Kock to put England on the brink of victory on Sunday, before finishing with figures of 3 for 32 as England hammered South Africa by an innings and 53 runs to go 2-1 up in the series.
But he said he was not sure with an aching body whether he would be fit for the final Test in Johannesburg, which starts on Friday, also given Jofra Archer is expected back in the England line-up.
“Since I’ve been out of the team all I’ve done is concentrate on myself, trying get myself in the best place,” he said.
