Mark Wood has been made available for this week’s Specsavers County Championship match against Derbyshire after returning home from the Indian Premier League.
The fast bowler has been granted a return to England from the Chennai Super Kings camp & hands head coach Jon Lewis a huge boost after yesterday’s historic victory over Leicestershire.
Wood played one game for the Super Kings & will aim to impress the England selectors ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which starts in just over two weeks’ time.
“It’s a massive boost to have Mark available for Friday. On the occasions we’ve had him available to play for us over the last few years, he’s made some great contributions,” Lewis said.
“He comes back to us with a big point to prove & is eager to nail down his spot in the England Test side. The IPL didn’t give him the playing opportunities he would have liked but he has still learnt from great players and this is a move which suits all parties.
“After managing to get over the line yesterday, Mark coming back into the squad gives us another dimension in the bowling line-up & we go into the Derbyshire match in better shape for his involvement.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Andrew Strauss, the ECB, Stephen Fleming & the Chennai Super Kings for their co-operation in making Mark available.”
Wood joins a squad in high spirits after James Weighell’s career-best led Durham to a come-from-behind victory in the last round of fixtures.
The incredible 47-run victory was the Club’s maiden first-class win after being asked to follow-on.