Sri Lanka v England '“ Healthy competition spurs on Mark Wood to seal World Cup spot

England's Mark Wood, pictured during a practice session in Sri Lanka. Picture: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Mark Wood realises the clock is ticking as he attempts to nail down a place in England's World Cup plans.

Wood will return to the side for today’s fifth one-day international against Sri Lanka having been restricted to a watching brief as the tourists racked up an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Newcomer Olly Stone has been preferred in each of the first four matches taking Wood’s status as the quickest bowler in the squad in the process, while Tom Curran has impressed with his variations in the last two.

With next summer’s home World Cup looming on the horizon competition for places is reaching fever pitch and it is increasingly apparent the selectors will be cutting players with a strong case rather than calling on those with a slender one as in previous tournaments.

So, while today’s encounter in Colombo represents a dead rubber for some for Wood it is a welcome chance to restate his credentials.

“We’re against the clock a little bit because everyone is vying for one or two spots,” said the Durham man.