Wednesday 20 July 2016 12:07, UK
Lions coach Andy Flower believes Mark Wood will soon be challenging for an England place after recovering from injury.
Wood is playing for the Lions against Pakistan A at Cheltenham this week having missed the winter tour of South Africa and series against Sri Lanka earlier this summer with an ankle injury picked up while in the UAE last year.
The 26-year-old had two operations on the problem and hopes to be fit for the second half of the series against Pakistan, with the second Test starting at Old Trafford on Friday.
"Mark's an outstanding performer, really skilful," Flower told Sky Sports News HQ. "It doesn't take him long to get up to speed, he's one of those sorts of athletes.
"He's had his injury problems, but skills-wise it doesn't take him long at all. It's a great opportunity for him to show he's back up to speed and I think he will. As soon as he is I think he will be pushing hard for an England place."
Flower was at Lord's on Sunday to watch Pakistan win the first Test against England by 75 runs and praised both sides for an entertaining match. He believes the press-up celebrations by the Pakistan players at the end showed the relief after a tough build-up to the tour.
"It was done in the right spirit," added Flower. "The Pakistan group has worked really hard in preparation for this tour. This is a really big tour for them. Any tour of England - the opposition really look forward to it.
"They've done a lot of hard work. They were pushed hard on their army camp. I know a little bit about what goes on in that camp because my brother coaches with them, so I think it was the culmination of a lot of hard work.
"Winning a Test match is the result of a lot of sweat and tears and heartache and thought and commitment - and that is why some of that passion came out at the end. I thought it was quite lovely to see."
