T20 World Cup Final: England breathe sigh of relief after Mark Wood’s return to training

England have been boosted by the presence of Mark Wood in training ahead of the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan. Wood was not able to play the semi-final against India owing to muscle stiffness.

Mark Wood takes a wicket in T20 World Cup 2022. (Courtesy: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: England are set to the play T20 World Cup final against Pakistan on November 13, Sunday, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Jos Buttler side were boosted by the return of their fastest bowler Mark Wood in training at the MCG on Saturday, the eve of the final of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

Wood, who is a key cog in the English bowling line-up was forced to miss the T20 World Cup semi-final against India after failing to recover from muscle stiffness. The right-arm fast bowler has been the standout bowler for England in the Super-12 stage. he even bowled the fastest ever spell bowled in the T20 World Cup history.

The 32-year-old captain, Jos Butler had said earlier that England’s experience of winning the 2019 ICC World Cup would hold them in good stead at the MCG on Sunday. In the absence of Wood in the semi-final of the competition, England’s bowling attack held its own for the first 15 overs of the game, giving away just 100 runs. They faced a counter-attack from Hardik Pandya in the final 5 overs of the match and conceded 169 runs in total. England chased the target down in just 16 overs, owing to a stunning partnership between Alex Hales and Jos Buttler.

Pakistan and England would go into the MCG on Sunday, knowing very well that the pacers can change the course of the game in a lively MCG track. However, the match runs the risk of getting affected by rain.