India vs England: Jos Buttler's side unchanged for must-win third T20I to keep series hopes alive
England are 2-0 down in the five-match series vs India having been thrashed by seven wickets in Wednesday's opener before a nail-biting two-wicket defeat in Chennai on Saturday; Mark Wood is set to play his third T20 in six days and believes England can make a comeback
Tuesday 28 January 2025 08:07, UK
England's Mark Wood has admitted he does "doubt whether I will come back the same" player after a long-term elbow injury, adding the next Ashes tour later this year may be the time he retires.
England have named an unchanged team for Tuesday's must-win T20 international against India in Rajkot as they vow to keep the series alive, with Wood set for his third T20 in six days.
The 35-year-old said he is "surprised but pleased" to learn he is unlikely to get any cotton wool treatment from Brendon McCullum despite the important challenges on the horizon for England.
Wood was sidelined towards the end of 2024 with a long-term elbow injury.
Jos Buttler's side are 2-0 down in the five-match series, having been thrashed by seven wickets in Wednesday's opener before a nail-biting two-wicket defeat in Chennai on Saturday.
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"We've got big things (this year) but I've missed so many games for England that, when you have a chance, you want to play," Wood said.
"The question is whether I can still be as good or consistent or accurate.
"I do doubt if I will come back the same, or if that is it, with the age I am at. They are the doubts I have. I know if I come back, I will still bowl fast.
"But I haven't got many miles on my clock. I work hard on my fitness, I worked hard in that downtime. One percenters like not drinking, trying to eat well, it all plays a small part.
"I was a late developer in cricket, I wasn't bowling quickly until my early 20s. I don't see why I can't keep bowling quickly in the short term."
'This is the age people usually stop'
The next 12 months offer several opportunities to add to his legacy and a blockbuster Ashes in Australia might feel like a logical endpoint, with Wood admitting the thought has crossed his mind.
"I would feel that as well, thinking this is the age people usually stop," he said.
"I think when you look at what's coming up, you think could that be the end or could this be the last time I play here? You just don't know and I think, as you get older, that creeps in more.
"When I was in my mid-20s or when I first started for England, I never thought that would be the case. Now, there's all these young guns coming through, am I still at the standard required to play for England?
"I have belief in myself and as long as the close circle around you, McCullum, the captain, your team-mates, believe in you as well then that gives you confidence."
Carse confident of England series comeback
Carse retains his place after replacing Gus Atkinson in the second T20I, where he scored 31 off 17 deliveries before taking 3-29 to stall India's run chase.
When asked whether he still feels England can win the remaining three matches and the series, Carse said after Saturday's defeat: "Yeah, of course, 100 per cent.
"It's pretty evident that the performance was a lot better than the other night but we haven't put a complete performance in. It's quite exciting to see where we can get to over these next few games.
"I felt like we got a decent score on the board and we kept on taking wickets throughout the game. Credit goes to Tilak, he played a very mature and smart innings and ultimately he was the difference in their side."
England have no room for manoeuvre if they are to give Brendon McCullum a winning start to life as all-format head coach but Carse remains bullish and believes there is more to come from the tourists.
Smith also stays in the starting XI after making his debut on Saturday, when Jacob Bethell was ruled out due to illness, with England also sticking with a pace-heavy bowling attack that includes Archer and Wood.
England's line-up for third Test vs India: 1. Ben Duckett, 2. Phil Salt (WK), 3. Jos Buttler (c), 4. Harry Brook, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Jamie Smith, 7. Jamie Overton, 8. Brydon Carse, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
England in India - results and fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
- First T20: Wednesday January 22 - Eden Gardens, Kolkata - India won by seven wickets
- Second T20: Saturday January 25 - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai - India won by two wickets
- Third T20: Tuesday January 28 (1.30pm) - Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
- Fourth T20: Friday January 31 (1.30pm) - Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
- Fifth T20: Sunday February 2 (1.30pm) - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- First ODI: Thursday February 6 (8am) - Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
- Second ODI: Sunday February 9 (8am) - Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
- Third ODI: Wednesday February 12 (8am) - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
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