Mark Wood credits longer run-up for transformation in England Test career

Mark Wood has credited a longer run-up with changing his England career, describing the adjustment as the dividing line between two distinct periods of his Test bowling. In an interview published by BBC Sport on Thursday after his retirement on Tuesday, Wood revisited four major performances and explained how the change helped him sustain his pace.

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The BBC reported that Wood averaged 41.73 with the ball in his first 12 Tests, compared with 27.11 across 26 Tests after extending his approach to the crease. He made the alteration on the advice of former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding. Its first Test outing brought figures of 5-41 against West Indies in Saint Lucia in 2019, a performance Wood identified as his fastest spell.

Wood said his earlier approach had required him to force his pace, during a period disrupted by ankle injuries and inconsistent form. The longer run-up gave him greater momentum and allowed him to bowl quickly for longer. He recalled feeling that the Saint Lucia performance demanded less effort, with the ball carrying sharply to the slips and his action feeling freer.

He also discussed his best Test match figures, 9-100 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2020. Wood took 5-46 in the first innings and 4-54 in the second at the Wanderers. Among the dismissals he recalled was Rassie van der Dussen for 98: England prepared a field for a bouncer before Wood delivered a fuller ball that the batter hit to cover.

His best innings return came in Hobart during the 2021-22 Ashes, when he took 6-37 in Australia's second innings. Wood said he had wanted to perform for then-coach Chris Silverwood and bowling coach Jon Lewis, who had supported him. He played four of the five Tests and recalled Australian coach Justin Langer expressing respect for his efforts after the match.

At Headingley in the 2023 Ashes, Wood took 5-34 in the first innings with England trailing 2-0 in the series. BBC Sport reported that he averaged 90.4mph on the opening day. Wood highlighted the opportunity to pitch the ball fuller and find swing, including when dismissing Usman Khawaja. The occasion also had personal significance: his parents were there to see him take five wickets for the first time.