Australia 'huge' for England after washout - Wood

5 months ago 17
ARTICLE AD BOX

England bowler Mark Wood says Saturday's meeting with Australia is "huge" after their washout against Scotland on Tuesday.

The abandonment meant England and Scotland took a point each from the game.

Defeat against Australia in Barbados would potentially make the final two games against Namibia and Oman must-win for the defending champions.

"It is obviously a huge game with what is coming up," Wood told the BBC.

"It is a game you never normally need to get up for because they are your rivals and all of that stuff but it is now a game that takes even more importance because of the points."

The top two sides from each group progress to the Super 8 phase.

Namibia are currently top of Group B after they beat Oman in a super over on Sunday while Australia play their first match of the tournament against Oman later on Wednesday (01:30 BST on Thursday).

After Australia, England play Oman on Thursday 13 June and Namibia two days later, with both matches in Antigua.

"[Against Australia] it is a big chance for us if we get points on the board," Wood said.

"If we don’t that makes everything crucial and you have to win by margins [to improve net run-rate] - again with weather around."

Just 10 overs were possible in England's meeting with Scotland, with the lower-ranked side impressing by reaching 90-0 in 10 overs.

Coach Matthew Mott admitted England were "sloppy" in the field, while Wood had opener George Munsey caught off a no-ball.

Wood said he will "address it in training" over the coming days.

"I bowled 13 balls yesterday, and one of them is a wicket and it’s the one I’ve no-balled," Wood said.

"If any of the others was the no-ball, I’m probably sitting here thinking, it’s not a problem, but because I’m getting the wicket off that ball it hurts the team.

"That’s what disappoints me.

"He [Munsey] reverse-sweeps Rash [Adil Rashid] and every time that's happening I'm thinking 'oh no, that's my fault again'.

"That's the feeling I don't like, letting down my team-mates."

Listen to live Test Match Special commentary of Australia v Oman from 01:15 BST on Thursday on BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website & app and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Read Entire Article