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The Times of India

Sport

JAC Gladson | TNN

IND vs ENG: There are challenges, but we’re keen to create history, says Mark Wood

Mark Wood England India Alastair Cook Ben Stokes Brendon McCullum Ian Botham Anil Kumble Axar Patel Bishan Singh Bedi

HYDERABAD: England seamer Mark Wood said his team would not curb their attacking instincts in the five-match Test series against India. Patented by their coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, England’s ‘Bazball’ has been the flavour of the last few seasons. Wood, however, said his team was aware of the challenges they will face in this series.

“We’ll still look to take the game on. At times it’s been smart, though, to consolidate. And then when the chance comes, to put the pressure back on,” he said on Tuesday.

It may not be as easy as England’s win over Pakistan in late 2022, when they became the first visiting team to sweep the series 3-0. “We created history in Pakistan recently, becoming the first team to win every match. So, this is another chance to do something historic and try and beat India in their own conditions.”

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Handling pressure will be key, though.

“It’s all about soaking up pressure when the Indian batsmen are on top. We have to create a bit of a theatre or drama on the field and then when it’s time, attack again. That’s the same with bat and ball,” said Wood. “We know the challenges here. They (India) very rarely lose at home. It’s almost like a free hit for us where we can come in and try something different.”

England’s last Test series win in India was with Alastair Cook at the helm in 2012-13.

Cook, who had top-scored in that series with 562 runs in a comeback 2-1 series win, said recently that England’s problem could be their lack of match preparation.

“We’ve prepped really well in Abu Dhabi. We’ve made pitches, we’ve scuffed pitches up to make them spin, we’ve put sand down to make it spin, we’ve had flat pitches to practice simple and reverse swing. So, we’ve had all the facilities available in Abu Dhabi. It was also good to switch off there as well. We had a good team bonding session. So, we’ve come here fresh mentally and physically and ready to go,” the 34-year-old from Durham said.

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Judicious use of short-pitched stuff will be high on England’s agenda, he said, especially against a compulsive hooker like Rohit Sharma.

“The conditions will be assessed once I am out there, and bumps (bouncers) are rarely bought out here. But the pitch sometimes can be two-paced and, if it is slow, it can help (bowlers) because the batters will be through with the shot. Someone like Rohit, I know how good he is on the short ball. I’ll have to be really accurate with it,” he added.

Wood also said England would bank heavily on James Anderson and left-arm spinner Jack Leach’s experience of bowling in Indian conditions.

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