Mark Wood nursing new injury? Michael Vaughan's 'cotton wool' remark sparks concerns

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan sounded worried after England bowled Mark Wood just 8 overs on day 1 of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester.

Wood picked up the wicket of Kusal Mendis in the 8 overs that he bowled and bowled with some real pace and fire. The delivery that dismissed Mendis took his gloves and left him form an unplayable position.

Meanwhile, England are trying out several pacers ahead of the Ashes series against Australia next year. The series against Sri Lanka will help the management to identify whom can they include for the mighty series. Jofra Archer bowled with some real pace in The Hundred. Along with Wood, the two can become a lethal pair for England against Australia.

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Not Bothered By Mark Wood Being Underbowled: Michael Vaughan

"Have they underbowled Mark Wood today - possibly, but I am not bothered about it now, because there is a bigger picture about Wood in terms of next year and what they are trying and bring. When you think Jofra, he has just been playing in The Hundred, looked pretty good. You can see what England are trying to do," Vaughan responded to a query in BBC's Test Match Special.

He further said that England are keen on preparing a pace battery that can challenge the Australian batters. He said that for England to win in Australia, they need, Archer, Wood, Gus Atkinson, and Olly Stone, all fit for the Ashes series.

England Got A Clear Plan For Ashes 2025: Michael Vaughan

"They have got a clear plan of making sure that when they get Down Under in a year and a bit's time, they want to have these quick bowlers that they can rotate - Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Olly Stone. Let's be honest, for them to compete in Australia and win, they have to get them all fit. So you have to wrap them in a little bit of cotton wool before then. I think they are doing the right thing," the former England captain added.

The England bowlers came up with a good bowling performance against Sri Lanka getting them bowled out for 236. Chris Woakes took three wickets, Gus Atkinson two, Mark Wood one, and Shoaib Bashir three. It was a cumulative bowling performance from the England bowlers in the absence of someone like Archer.

Meanwhile, Russel Arnold the former Sri Lankan cricketer who is a part of the commentary team, shared his thoughts on Wood as well. He said that when Wood bowls things seem to happen for England.

"Just love watching him play. Whenever he comes in to bowl, there is a buzz about it and suddenly things seem to happen quicker - batsmen hopping around, the best place to watch Mark Wood is from square of the wicket," Arnold said.

He agreed with Vaughan's perspective and suggested using Wood in short bursts to maximize his effectiveness. Wood then entered the attack in the 14th over and dismissed Kusal Mendis in the 16th. He then bowled a four-over spell from the 38th over but was not given the ball since then.

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