England pacer Mark Wooden is hoping a return to motion within the County Championship subsequent month will assist him show his health forward of the extremely anticipated Ashes tour on the finish of this 12 months.
Wooden hasn’t performed Take a look at cricket since August final 12 months and is trying to regain full health from a knee damage he sustained on the ICC Champions Trophy in February this 12 months.
The 35-year-old revealed he was shut to creating his return through the lately concluded fifth Take a look at in opposition to India at dwelling, however an incident throughout coaching set his plans again.
“The damage is all proper. It was 50-50 whether or not I used to be going to make the India Take a look at, however I used to be bowling at Lord’s after which, the subsequent day, my knee swelled up once more so I had it drained and since then it’s simply been about taking issues simple looking forward to the winter,” Wooden stated on the Keep on with Cricket podcast.
Durham, Wooden’s county facet, is scheduled to play Essex (from September 8), Worcestershire (September 15) and Yorkshire (September 24) subsequent month, and the England fast is hoping to play ‘one or two’ of these matches.
“I’ll attempt to play one or two of these matches. I’ve been nicely sorted and really cautious. I worth it as they’ve acquired this finish recreation the place they need me to get to Australia. However I stated to (England coach Brendon McCullum) Baz McCullum, I can’t simply bowl to a internet for 4 months, I’ll go insane,” Wooden stated.
“There’s a bowling camp in Loughborough in a tent – getting acclimatised there prepared for Perth – then I’ll go over to Perth early with a few bowlers. We’ll arrive a few week early to arrange and get acclimatised,” he added.
As England appears to win its first Ashes sequence in Australia since 2011, Wooden will likely be essential for his crew, which incorporates fellow quicks Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes (topic to health).
In the latest Ashes sequence in 2023, held in England, Wooden picked up 14 wickets in simply three Checks, and his searing tempo will add a deadly dimension to the visiting facet’s bowling assault.
The primary Ashes Take a look at begins in Perth on November 21.
Revealed on Aug 28, 2025