In the Cricket World where most players are running away from the classic Test cricket to play in lucrative T20 Cricket around the globe, Mark Wood has stood out. The English pace bowler took the decision to fly away from IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings in a bid to strengthen his case for Test selection. Wood played only one match in this season and was ignored for the rest of the matches. He then flew back to England and participated in the first-class cricket.

Making his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings, Mark Wood was expensive in his first match. In the match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, he conceded 49 runs his bowling quota and was never picked in the team again. He then returned to England and playing for Durham against Derbyshire, Wood picked up 6/46 and 1/91 to boost his case for Tests against Pakistan.

Being injury-prone, few suspected Wood to skip the longest format and play in short formats only. Answering that, Wood said, “That’s never even once crossed my mind. Any game I play for England I love it. When I was in the back garden as a kid it was never T20 or 50 overs it was Test matches. In my mind, all the best players were at Test level and that’s what I wanted to strive to. These days, the 50- and 20-over stuff is a huge part of the game so I’m delighted to be part of such a good team – we have an awesome one-day side – but the pinnacle for me is still trying to get into that Test and I think I have a real point to prove.”

Speaking about the IPL experience, Wood said,”I’m glad to be back, it was a difficult decision and I was 50-50 whether I leave. Andrew Strauss rang me up and said, if you’re not playing, there’s real value in coming home to push my case and try to keep my spot in the team.

“I would have liked to have played more. It was hard going traveling every day and not playing. I didn’t really set the world alight in my first game and it was always going to be difficult to come back in. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to prove myself in that competition. To have one game and not do well leaves a bit of a sour taste. I’d like to go back and have one more crack at it and prove myself at that standard,” Wood added.

This interview of Mark Wood was conducted by ESPNCricinfo.