ENG vs AUS: "It Was A Tactical Decision" - Marcus Trescothick On Bringing Mark Wood Late To Bowling On Day 4 At Oval
Published - 31 Jul 2023, 01:04 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick opened up about the fitness concerns regarding tearaway pacer Mark Wood ahead of Day 5 in the final Test of the Ashes 2023 series. Marcus Trescothick confirmed that England’s bowlers are fit to bowl on the final day’s play at the Oval in London.
Mark Wood was utilized as the fifth bowling option in Australia’s second innings on Day 4. The right-arm pacer was introduced to bowl the 33rd over. He conceded 16 runs in his three-over spell. Notably, spinners Moeen Ali and Joe Root were given the opportunity to bowl on the penultimate day’s play.
Everyone Is Fit To Bowl – Marcus Trescothick
Speaking after the day’s play, Marcus Trescothick said that the decision to bring Mark Wood into the bowling attack late was a tactical move.
“I think pretty much like everybody, there’s little aches and pains that are going off the back of a big five-Test series. Both teams will be travelling in the same way at the moment. But yeah, everyone is fit to bowl. It was a tactical decision,” Trescothick said.
Mark Wood had a massive impact with the ball in his first match in the series and won the Player of the Match award in the third Test. The pacer has picked up 13 wickets with an impressive average of 20.38, including one five-wicket haul.
The 47-year-old feels that the change of ball by the umpires had a positive impact on the game, as it seemed harder and had more life in it. He expressed concerns about the red Duke balls going soft quickly in this series.
“I think it was just a bit harder. That was the difference. Immediately, there’s a bit more life in it. Balls seem to have gone very soft very fast in this game – and this series.
Both captains have tried to change them on numerous occasions. Whether it makes any difference, the rain coming down and saving it for tomorrow, who knows?”
England’s bowlers struggled to make a breakthrough in Australia’s second innings. Openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner scored half-centuries. The Pat Cummins-led team ended the day with a score of 135-0.
Also read: Mark Wood To Miss The Hundred To Stay Fit For ICC World Cup 2023: Report
He’s Obviously Had The Little Niggle – Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick said that Moeen Ali could play a major role on the final day’s play despite not being 100 per cent fit to play.
“He’s OK. You saw him bowl today. He’s obviously had the little niggle that he’s got. He’s obviously had a bit of rest and put his feet up. It’s not 100% – of course it’s not. It’s not going to be probably for two or three weeks from now, but we’ve got a little bit out of him and will continue to try to do that again tomorrow.”
