London: England may change a winning World Cup side by recalling fast bowler Mark Wood when they face Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Monday. The ground is renowned as a batsman’s paradise, with England having twice set the world record for the highest score in a one-day international — 444 for three against Pakistan in 2016 and last year’s 481 for six — on the very pitch that will be used for Monday’s match at Trent Bridge.
But Pakistan’s batsmen had anything but an easy ride in Nottingham as they succumbed to a bouncer barrage from the West Indies that saw them slump to 105 all out and a comprehensive defeat in their opening match of the World Cup on Friday. England, who launched their quest to win the World Cup for the first time with a 104-run rout of South Africa at the Oval in which fast bowler Jofra Archer starred may now, in the light of Pakistan’s problems against short-pitched bowling, unleash Wood in partnership with the Sussex speedster.
‘Roughed Pakistan up’
“We’re aware of what went on yesterday,” England assistant coach Graham Thorpe said Saturday. “It was interesting viewing. “The West Indies bowled very well, they looked like they roughed Pakistan up,” the former England batsman added.
“I think it (drafting Wood) will be discussed, to be honest. Wood has bowled a mere 13.1 overs since the start of the season amid fears his longstanding left ankle injury could flare up again. But his ability, in common with Archer, to top speeds of 90 mph meant England thought he was worth the risk at the World Cup.
England have risen to the top of the ODI rankings since their woeful first-round exit at the 2015 edition mainly as a result of piling on the runs. But they showed they were more than ‘flat-track bullies’ with a score of 311 for eight on an awkward surface at the Oval before an attack led by Archer overwhelmed the Proteas. Scoring 500 in an ODI was once viewed as impossible but, given their recent record-breaking exploits, England could go close if they bat first at Trent Bridge on Monday. “It has generally always been a good pitch so we are looking forward to it,” said Thorpe.
Pitch Report
As per reports, the strip dished out for the world-record 481 match last year between England and Australia will be used tomorrow. Hence, a run-fest seems to be on the cards, unlike last time when the fast bowlers dominated. In that case, teams may opt to bat first and defend whatever they score.
WC head-to-head
Matches………………..8
Eng wins………………4
Pak wins………………4