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Wood burst on to the Ashes scene at Cardiff through his sheer pace and tiny run up, reaching figures of 149 kilometres per hour.
However after Australia’s easy win at Lord’s last week, is Wood’s omission from the side actually beneficial for the POMs?
While he bowled fast and sharp in the first Test, his pace slowed to the low 130 kilometre mark in the second and at-times struggled to find his line and length. His modest figures of 1-131 from 38 overs reflect his troubles at the home of cricket.
England skipper Alastair Cook blamed a high work rate for Wood’s issues.
“We’re a little concerned with Woody…(he) has played a huge amount of cricket for him over the past six or eight months and we’ve got to be careful,” Cook said.
Experiencing troubles with both bowling and body, what do England selectors do about Mark Wood's replacement?
Send in Steve Finn.
Finn is tipped to replace Wood as her majesty’s front-line seamer, and the Aussies will be quick to remind him of his woeful last Test, played at Trent Bridge against Australia two years ago.
But following rumours of English curators rolling out the hard, green carpet at Edgbaston, the towering 6’7 figure of Steve Finn credited with pace and bounce is sure to have twice the impact of Wood, whose short frame and skiddy bowling style would likely be less than effective.
“We want everyone to be as close to fitness as we can (and) Finny’s bowled really well for Middlesex and in the one-dayers," Cook said.
After being described by England ODI coach Ashley Giles as ‘not selectable’ in 2014, Finn spent time in the cricketing wilderness as he dealt with his bowling and confidence issues.
Finn is now backed to return better than ever, with some quality county and one-day performances in his wake.
“If I do play it will be like making another debut in some ways,” Finn said before the Cardiff test.
“I had a tricky period and that is a long way in the past. I’m selectable again.
“The term sounded derogatory but I don’t think it was. That was the bottom line.
“I feel as though I’m stronger for that experience. It wasn’t pleasant at the time but overall it has been a beneficial experience.”