Pakistan v England: Mark Wood pondered Test future amid injury layoff

Wood played his first Test since March in England's decisive win over Pakistan in Multan.

C It was also the 32-year-old's first since captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took charge.

"I desperately wanted to experience this, with Stokesy and Brendon. I'm glad I held on," Wood said.

Wood has a history of injury issues , in particular an ankle problem that required several surgeries.

He missed all summer at home this year after undergoing two operations on his elbow.

The Durham man has made a comeback in time for the T20 World Cup, but a hip injury caused him to miss the semi-final and final as England lifted the trophy in Australia. England in the first test in Pakistan.

"I was wondering if I would only go to white ball. At some point my body will say this is the way to go," said Wood, who was also part of the England squad that won the 50+ World Cup in 2019. p>

Wood's crucial three wickets on the final day in Multan helped England secure a 26 win points which gave them an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

England did not never won two Tests in an away series against Pakistan and haven't beaten it outside the UK for 22 years.

"Over the next few days we'll realize how good it was to win here 2-0," Wood said.

"We showed immense talent but everyone put in effort. There was not one match, but two of maximum effort. I'm really proud that we gave it our all.

"The word in the locker room is we want to entertain and do things differently. So do it differently and writing it in the history books is a fantastic feeling, especially here because nobody comes here and does that."

England had won just once in 17 Tests when Stokes took over as captain, but have now won in eight of nine matches since taking over. took control. The all-rounder has won praise not only for his results, but also for his inspiring leadership and creative tactics.

Former England skipper Mike Atherton told Sky Sports: "He will be one of our greatest ever captains when he is done. I can't think of another captain who has had such a dramatic impact and immediate on taking office."

Wood played with and against his Durham teammate Stokes in cricket junior.

"He always had a fantastic cricketing brain," Wood said. "The way it behaves and the messages it conveys, it's so much more complete than when we were growing up.

"It was this alpha guy who hit him, never backed down. He still has all that, but he has other facets now.

"He'll put an arm around people, make it clear what he means - I didn't think he had a few words in his locker. He was world class.