Mark Wood

A right elbow injury sustained during the first Test against West Indies in Antigua in March restricted Wood from making any appearances for Durham during the 2022 season. 

Progress was made during the summer as Wood turned out for his local club Ashington for their North East Premier League fixture against Ashington – where he took 5 wickets.

However, a reaction to his first outing of 2022 meant a further operation and not returning to the field until October for the World Cup.

Wood came back firing against Afghanistan in England’s opening match as the the right arm quick did not bowl a single ball in his four overs below 140kph, and hit a top speed of 154 kph (96mph). Wood averaged 92.6mph – the fastest four-over spell in the tournament’s history.

He continued to bowl super quick throughout the World Cup – taking at least 1 wicket each of the group stage games he played in – including 3/26 with terrifying thunderbolts against Sri Lanka.

Wood missed the semi-final and final due to back stiffness but still played his part in helping England win the World Cup – adding to their trophy haul as both white ball trophy winners.

His first Test since Antigua was against Pakistan – and was one of the best he has starred in.

At 290 for five, Pakistan were well placed with 10 minutes to go before the break. But in successive overs Wood removed Mohammad Nawaz for 45 and Saud Shakeel for 94, both caught down the leg side by Ollie Pope  to give England renewed hope.

And it was 319 for nine when Wood brought one back into Zahid Mahmood, knocking back his off stump, to give him his 6th of the match and help England to a series victory in Pakistan with a 26-run win in the second Test.

Depending on fitness and availability, Durham will be hopeful of seeing Wood at some stage during the 2023 season.