Mark Wood reveals James Anderson's role in him overcoming frustration to deliver PoTM performance in 3rd Test vs WI

England fast bowler Mark Wood admitted that he was feeling frustrated when he was not getting a reward despite bowling well in the recently concluded three-match Test series against the West Indies.

Wood finished with seven wickets in the third and final Test to help England clean sweep the series 3-0 against the West Indies on July 28. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his remarkable efforts with the ball during the England Cricket Team’s 10-wicket win over the West Indies in Birmingham.

Mark Wood opens up about frustrations before reward in the final Test against West Indies

However, before getting the reward for his skills and hard work, the star seamer had a tough day, but England's coaching staff, including recently retired James Anderson, helped him to regain confidence, and he did it in style.

In a video shared by England Cricket on X, Wood expressed frustration over his recent performance. The pacer said that he was feeling disheartened when his efforts didn’t yield the expected results. Despite the challenges, including being hit for boundaries, Wood found support and guidance from coaches like Jeetan Patel, Anderson, and head coach Brendon McCullum.

We've got a great team environment: Mark Wood

He revealed that they helped him refocus on the technical aspects of his game, such as utilizing reverse swing and varying his deliveries. Mark Wood said in the video: “Yeah, I was pretty frustrated. I'm not going to lie. I think, you know, when you feel like you're putting a lot of effort in, I mean, as a lower-order player, I wouldn't want to face fast ball. I wouldn't last very long at all.”

He further noted that his battle with the West Indies batters at some point got him down thinking about the outcome all the time. However, Wood had a great chat with coaches, who were fabulous help for him.

Wood further explained, “You know, getting more to focus on, I guess, the skill element of things. The ball was moving with a reverse swing at that point, so it wasn't necessarily just about bowling fast. It was about when I could attack with the ball, with the one that's coming back in, when I could hold it up and then not forget my bouncer as well.

So, I'm just, you know, I guess more relieved, but it has been a bit frustrating, but to have great people around you, like Jimmy, like Jeetan Patel, other coaches, Baz, like all these guys around you. It was great when I was getting the wickets; the lads were all getting around me, and we've got a great team environment like that where everybody wants to see each other do well.”

Brilliant from Jimmy Anderson and the whole coaching team ❤️

Watch the full interview 👇

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Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes hailed Wood for his five wickets in a six-over spell that helped England to record a whitewash-clinching win over the West Indies at Edgbaston.