Mark Wood targets key training sessions with Pakistan for T20 World Cup 2024

England pacer Mark Wood is optimistic that some players will get an opportunity for match practice at the Oval, despite the difficult weather conditions. 

Despite two T20Is being rained out entirely, England has only had the chance to play one match, where they secured a 23-run victory against Pakistan in the second T20I. Nonetheless, the weather forecast for tonight's final T20I continues to be unfavorable.

"A few of the lads are keen to get a run out at the Oval, so that will help. It will give confidence to everyone in the group. It was a good game the other day against Pakistan. They looked like they were pushing us really close, and might have got there in the end if it wasn't for such good bowling and shutting the game out from (Reece) Topley, (Chris) Jordan and (Jofra) Archer,” Wood said.

However, the series' disrupted schedule has been far from ideal for England's preparation.

He also highlighted the mixed readiness within the squad.

“Obviously, it’s not ideal when you schedule four games and we might only get one or two,” he said.

“Some lads have been playing at the IPL and they are match-ready. Other lads haven’t, and the lads that haven’t, is there a freshness?” he concluded.

It is worth noting that the England team currently leads the four-match T20I series 1-0 with the final T20I clash set to take place today.

England Squad: Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.