England and Lucknow Super Giants pace bowler Mark Wood said that 2018 wasn’t the best time for him to participate in the IPL as it came on the back of inadequate preparation as well. This year, he hopes to repay the faith put in him by the Super Giants as well. Notably, Wood’s first IPL appearance was in 2018 with the Chennai Super Kings where he bowled four wicketless overs for 49 runs. However, he stunned all in his first outing in the IPL 2023 since then with figures of 4-0-14-5.

While speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Wood shared as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo: “I don’t think I was really prepared for CSK at that time. I’d just come off the back of a Test match tour and I hadn’t prepared well. That was my own fault, really; I went into that game a bit underprepared and didn’t do myself justice. Coming back to the IPL, England have had such a big schedule, I’ve had injuries, time with my family – I’ve tried to factor all that in and it’s just never been a good time to come back. I would have come back last year but unfortunately I had elbow surgery.”

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Wood, who earned INR 7.5 crores in the auction, credited KL Rahul and the management for making his role clear within the side as well. He added:

“I’m here this year and trying my best to contribute for Lucknow, trying to repay the faith that they’ve shown in me, sticking by me and picking me again. So far I’ve absolutely loved it: KL Rahul has been brilliant with me. The management have been excellent, keeping my role clear, what they expect… hopefully I can repay the faith that they’ve shown in me.”

While Mark Wood didn’t go for too many in the first game, he gave away 49 runs in the second against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He also took three wickets, including that of MS Dhoni, who hit him for two sixes. The veteran right-arm speedster has revealed that the IPL was on his checklist and he wants to show he belongs here.

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“I felt like I had a bit of unfinished business, I guess, in terms of trying to come here and prove myself on a big stage. I’ve played for England in World Cup finals – both 50-over and T20 – but I hadn’t cracked the IPL, so this time, I’m trying my best to prove that I can mix it in the IPL with the best players,” Mark Wood concluded.

The Super Giants will next play against the SunRisers Hyderabad on Friday in Lucknow.