‘One of the great games that I've been involved’ - Mark Wood opens up about limited role and extraordinary win over India

England named Mark Wood as their sole pacer in the first Test against India in Hyderabad. The 34-year-old bowled only 25 overs in the match and went wicketless but despite so, he was happy with his role. Speaking about his first Test match in the subcontinent, Wood analysed the challenges and stated that he missed James Anderson in the middle as the pacer had no one to talk to in the middle. 

The Ashington-born cricketer also revealed that skipper Ben Stokes gave proper clarity about his role ahead of the first Test. He also understands that the spinners will have a much bigger role in the Test series against India and called it one of the great games that he has been involved in.

“That was a bit weird. Especially when the captain says you're going to bowl one over with the new ball and it was a bit like, right, I'll practice one over with the new ball. Very rarely would you think you'd bowl one over and then be off. But weirdly I trust what he says. One over? Right, okay, I'll give it everything for this over. And then he said 'rest' and I'm not annoyed. Like, I get it, we're going to spin now. So it's just a bit different,” Wood was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“I said to Jimmy (Anderson) that I found it more bizarre that I didn't have anyone to talk to. I was sort of working it out as I went along. I'm disappointed that I didn't get any wickets but not really fussed, because the team played amazing. One of the great games that I've been involved in,” the Durham speedster added.

Meanwhile, after registering a 28-run win in Hyderabad, England will travel to Vizag on  Tuesday, January 30. They will be confident of their chances to win the series and become the first side to beat India in a Test series on their home turf in over a decade.