On flat pitches, Mark Wood emerges as England's most vital asset in Test cricket, surpassing even the formidable Ben Stokes. Wood’s significance to the team cannot be overstated, and his injury, which rules him out for the rest of the series against Sri Lanka, is a severe blow.
While Stokes is an extraordinary leader and a brilliant all-rounder, Wood brings something to the table that is simply irreplaceable. His absence was keenly felt on the fourth morning, when Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis capitalised on a flattening pitch, making batting significantly easier. England may face similar conditions in the coming year, particularly in Pakistan and possibly New Zealand. Therefore, finding a way to consistently take 20 wickets in such conditions is crucial.
Wood's unique abilities make him indispensable. England must handle him with care, aiming to have him available for 60-70% of the Tests over the next year. Realistically, that would be a positive outcome, as a bowler of his calibre cannot be expected to play every match.
Currently, Wood is the key figure in England's Test team, essential for victories against top teams like India and Australia. Opposing teams would most likely prefer not to see Wood in the England lineup. Even Jofra Archer, with his own remarkable pace, doesn’t consistently reach Wood's 95mph speeds. Wood's performance is something unprecedented in English cricket.
Few bowlers globally can match Wood's speed and ferocity. Every time he’s taken the ball this summer, he’s made an impact. Although there isn’t a statistic to measure how many wickets Wood indirectly causes from the other end due to his unsettling pace, it’s evident that his presence benefits his teammates.
Top-order batsmen dread facing raw pace, and tailenders are equally intimidated by either high velocity or mystery spin. While England may lack a mystery spinner, they have a highly competent one in Shoaib Bashir, and they rely on Wood to dismantle the tailenders.
Reflecting on the greats in cricket, one asks why they are considered great. It’s because they deliver something no one else has done before. No one has bowled with the consistent speed of Wood for England. Although Darren Gough, Steve Harmison, and Simon Jones could be quick, Wood consistently delivers speeds between 95 and 97mph, a remarkable feat. His relentless effort is evident as he often stumbles after bowling.
Wood is not just a phenomenal player for England; he’s a spectacle for the game itself. Like Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, and Stokes, who would draw spectators from the bars, Wood is now that bowler who demands attention. When he comes on to bowl, everyone in the stadium is eager to watch. His short, fiery spells of four-overs are must-see events because something is bound to happen.
A bowler like Wood doesn’t just add variety to a team; he also instills fear in the opposition. Memories of Brett Lee’s spells come to mind, where England’s batsmen, especially the tailenders, would wait nervously to face him. The same was true for Shoaib Akhtar, and now, it’s true for Wood.
Tailenders, particularly under pressure in the second innings, are ill-equipped to handle someone of Wood’s pace. As a result, he is rapidly becoming England’s most crucial player.
This makes it even more essential that England uses Wood wisely. If a spinner is part of the lineup, as they should be, Wood is unlikely to be part of a three-man seam attack. Thus, a five-man bowling unit is necessary for Wood to be most effective.
Here, Stokes becomes pivotal. Without him, England might have to play Chris Woakes at seven, or perhaps Sam Curran, to ensure they have four seamers. Expecting Wood to bowl extensive overs would diminish his effectiveness, so a four-seamer strategy allows him to be unleashed in short, impactful bursts.
Each bowler should be utilised according to their strengths. Gus Atkinson, selected for his speed—though not as fast as Wood—regularly bowls at 87mph. With both Atkinson and Wood in the attack, the responsibility falls to Woakes and Matthew Potts, along with Bashir, to handle the bulk of the work.
This setup allows the captain to rotate the fast bowlers effectively. The last thing England wants is for Atkinson to feel pressured into bowling extra overs, which could reduce his speed from 87mph to 85mph—a seemingly small drop but a significant one at this level.