ENG vs IND 2025: Mark Wood hopes to make return in 5th test

Veteran England pacer Mark Wood has voiced a desire to return to Test cricket, hoping to play in the fifth and final match of the upcoming series against India. The 35-year-old speedster is currently rehabilitating from a knee ailment and feels he can beat the clock to be ready for the fifth Test, which will be played at London’s Kennington Oval on July 31.

Wood suffered medial ligament damage to his left knee during the 2025 Champions Trophy encounter against Afghanistan, forcing him to hobble off the pitch in the middle of the contest. He underwent knee surgery in March and was given a four-month rehabilitation period, thereby ruling him out of the five-match series. Wood, on the other hand, has been working hard behind the scenes to facilitate his comeback, and he has stated that he has resumed light bowling in preparation for the Oval Test match.

“Rehab is progressing well. “I’ve just started bowling lightly, so I’m officially on the comeback trail,” Wood told BBC Test Match Special.

“I’m hoping to continue playing in this series so I can get a peek at some of the players I might face. I’m still aiming for the last Test. Anything before that is perhaps a little too soon. “The last test, I might not get there, but that’s still my focus right now,” he said.

It’s been a bit slow to start with: Mark Wood

Wood is expected to play in the County Championship match for Durham against Somerset, starting July 22. The Ashington-born admitted that his recovery has taken time, but he noted that things have started to pick up steam of late, with the goal being a return to international cricket against Shubman Gill‘s men.

“It’s been a bit slow to start with. I haven’t been able to do a lot, but it’s starting to speed up now. I’m getting some bowling in-hopefully not too much longer. I am still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I’ll just wait and see,” he said.