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The much-anticipated India tour of England commenced on Friday, June 20 with the first Test underway at the Headingley in Leeds. With England kickstarting their home Test summer, they fielded a lineup consisting of five bowlers, which included Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Ben Stokes and Shoaib Bashir.
In a notable move, Woakes spearhead the pace attack whereas Bashir is the lone spinner. The home side is missing the services of their key pacers, including Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, who prove to be lethal with their pace and variation. Seeing this, Wood, who was seen commentating on the opening day of the first Test, revealed his return date as he continues to fight against time to get fit.
Mark Wood hopeful to comeback in England XI for fifth Test against India
Speaking on the BBC Test Match Special, when inquired of his rehabilitation, he responded, "Rehab is going well.” The England pacer also revealed that he has commenced with brief net sessions, however is has been racing against time to get fit for the fifth Test. "I've just started bowling very lightly, so I'm on the comeback trail now officially. I'm hoping still to play a part in this series, so I get to have a look at some of the players here who I might come up against. I'm still targeting probably the last Test. Anything before that is maybe a bit too soon. The last Test, I might not get there, but at the minute, that's still my focus — that I might play a part," Wood stated.
"It's been a bit slow [coming back] to start with. I haven't been able to do a lot, but it's starting to speed up now, getting some bowling in. Hopefully not too much longer. [I am] still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I'll just wait and see," he added.
Although, since his surgery, Wood has been ruled out of the entire English summer, but he is likely to make a comeback in the fifth Test, which is scheduled to be played at The Oval from July 31 till August 4. If not, his possible return will see him make a comeback in the Ashes series, set to be played Down Under later this year.
