winph Will Mark Wood Retire After Ashes 2025-26? England Bowler Doubts If He'll 'Come Back The Same'

Mark Wood. Mark Wood.

England fast bowler Mark Wood has hinted that the Ashes series in Australia later this year could be the time when he calls time on his career. (More Cricket News)winph

The 35-year-old has featured in all three T20Is during England's ongoing tour of India, on his return from a stress fracture in his elbow that he sustained in August.

"The question is whether I can still be as good or consistent or accurate," Wood said, adding that he is unsure if he will ever return to his previous level. 

"I do doubt if I will come back the same, or if that is it, with the age I am at. They are the doubts I have. I know if I come back, I will still bowl fast," the right-arm pacer said.

"But I haven't got many miles on my clock. I work hard on my fitness, I worked hard in that downtime. One percenters like not drinking, trying to eat well, it all plays a small part.

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"I was a late developer in cricket. I wasn't bowling quickly until my early 20s. I don't see why I can't keep bowling quickly in the short term."

He ended with figures of 1-28 from three overs in the second T20I, which India won by two wickets in Chennai. 

England will travel to Australia later this year to play five Test matches with their great rivals having won the series in 2021-22 and retained the urn with a draw in 2023. 

We have named an unchanged team for our third T20I v India as we look to pull one back in the seriesThe game will get underway at 13:30 GMT (19:00 local) in Rajkot tomorrow pic.twitter.com/5LQJPO3s5B

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 27, 2025

Wood feels the series, to be played between November 2025 and January 2026, could be the right occasion for him to retire from the game. 

"I would feel that as well, thinking this is the age people usually stop," Wood said.

"I think when you look at what's coming up, you think could that be the end or could this be the last time I play here? You just don't know, and I think, as you get older, that creeps in more.

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India, the most successful team in the competition, now have five titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. The victory adds to their bronze medal secured at the Paris Olympic Games last month.

After a goalless first quarter, Korea struck just 36 seconds into the second quarter with Jungjun Lee finding the net due to a mistake from Pakistan goalkeeper Abdullah Ishtiyaq Khan. The goal remained the difference between the two teams till the half-time.

"When I was in my mid-20s or when I first started for England, I never thought that would be the case. Now, there's all these young guns coming through, am I still at the standard required to play for England?

"I have belief in myself and as long as the close circle around you, [Brendon] McCullum, the captain, your team-mates, believe in you as well then that gives you confidence."

England are playing five T20Is and three ODIs in India before travelling to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

They will open their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia in Group B on 22 February before facing Afghanistan and South Africawinph, with the top two sides from the group making it to the semi-finals.