'I'll go insane': Pacer who missed India-England Test series reveals injury layoff struggle

England pacer Mark Wood is aiming to make his comeback in county cricket next month after spending more than six months on the sidelines with a knee injury. The 35-year-old has not featured since February, when swelling in his knee forced him out of contention for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India. Wood admitted he was close to regaining fitness but suffered a setback that prolonged his absence. “It was 50/50 whether I was going to make the India Test, but I was bowling at Lord's and then, the next day, my knee swelled up again,” Wood revealed on the Stick to Cricket podcast. “I had it drained, and since then, it's just been about taking things easy, looking ahead to the winter.” The quick, who last played Test cricket a little over a year ago, is now targeting appearances in his county’s September fixtures against Essex, Worcestershire and Yorkshire. “I'm hoping to play for Durham as there are a couple of games in September, so I'll try and play one or two of those,” he said. Wood emphasised that England’s management have prioritised caution with his recovery, keeping the Ashes series in Australia later this year firmly in sight. “I've been well looked after and very cautious, that's the way that it's been. I value it as [England] have got this end game where they want me to get to Australia,” he added. Looking ahead, Wood also spoke about his preparations for the five-match series, beginning in Perth on November 21. “I said to (Brendon) McCullum, I can't just bowl to a net for four months, I'll go insane. There's a bowling camp in Loughborough in a tent – getting acclimatised there, ready for Perth – then I'll go over to Perth early with a couple of bowlers.” Wood has 41 wickets against Australia in 11 Tests at 27.48, including a memorable 14-wicket haul in the 2023 home series. If fit, he will be central to England’s push to reclaim the Ashes for the first time since 2015.