Mark Wood: "I want to keep pushing the boundaries to get quicker and quicker"

GEORGE DOBELL IN AUSTRALIA: England's fast bowler bowled the fastest spell in T20 World Cup history on Saturday, though he is keen to work on a slower ball

Mark Wood has insisted there is more pace to come from him despite producing a record-breaking performance in England's opening game of the T20 World Cup.

Wood produced the quickest average speed of any bowler who had completed a four-over allocation in T20 World Cups in Perth on Saturday. One delivery exceeded 96mph while his average was 92.6. Not a single delivery was under 87mph.

But while Wood stressed that the 100mph mark was out of reach - a benchmark only achieved by three bowlers (Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait in history; though Mitchell Starc has been timed at 99.7mph – he did suggest there was "more in the tank" than what he produced against Afghanistan.

"I struggled in my first couple of overs because I was slipping quite a bit," he said. "There was a lot of grass on the wicket and it was a bit tacky on top so I was sliding. I want to keep pushing the boundaries to get quicker and quicker.

"No, I don't think 100mph is within reach. When you look at the lads who are getting there, I don't think I'm in their bracket. I think I've got more consistently high pace than them if I can keep my form and my body well. I feel in a great place at the minute so hopefully I can keep that going."

Wood's average pace is, perhaps, better than his rivals in part as he delivers so few slower balls. Indeed, in the victory over Afghanistan, he didn't deliver any. He admits a decent slower ball remains a work in progress and he regrets that injury had prevented him spending more time in the learning environment of the IPL.

^{Mark Wood took two wickets against Afghanistan (James Worsfold/Getty Images)}

"My slower balls aren't great; not as good as Woakesy's or other lads," Wood said. "But that's something I'm trying to get better at and I think if I can get a good one, then that'll take my game to the next level. But it doesn't just happen overnight. I'm a three-format player so it'll take a bit of time.

"It's something I'm working on. I tried it in the practice game and it went horrendously so I think I'll need a bit of confidence to get it in again.

"It is one of the reasons I was keen to play a season of IPL cricket. You learn off different people, don't you? You get a chance to try things. But that wasn't meant to be.

"But I'm not one for not trying things. If I feel it's the right thing to do in a game I'll give it a go and if it doesn't come off, it doesn't come off."

Wood also admitted that the chance to potentially knock Australia out of the tournament was a motivation ahead of Friday’s match between the sides in Melbourne. But, as Wood explained, his reasoning was less to do with any specific rivalry and more a deep respect for the current champions who remains dangerous opponents despite losing their opening match against new Zealand.

"They are one of the strongest teams, if not the strongest, and we'd love to not have to play them later in the tournament if we can get through," Wood explained. "It would be great but I wouldn't think like I want to get one over on Australia or knock them out. We have to focus on ourselves but, of course, if that was to help ensure we didn't have to play the best team later on then that would be great."

^{Wood subjected Afghanistan's batters to a hostile spell (Trevor Collens/AFP via Getty Images)}

England play two games in three days later this week; Ireland on Wednesday and Australia on Friday. With that in mind, there is likely to be some discussion over resting Wood on Wednesday to ensure he is fit for Friday. If the decision were left to him, though, he would be keen to play both.

"I'm hoping to play both games," he said. "My body will dictate that. But I seem to have come through the Afghanistan game fine. I'll have a chat with the medical team and just see where I go from there."

England flew from Perth to Melbourne on Sunday – a journey of about three-and-a-half hours and one which involves a three-hour time change – and will take a day-off on Monday. They will train at the MCG on Tuesday.

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