Mark Wood could miss England’s first three Tests of their tour to India next year after signing to play for the Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 in the UAE.
Wood, who is currently one of the fastest bowlers in the Test game, took 14 wickets in three Ashes Tests, helping to transform the series after returning at Headingley. He has signed a contract with Dubai Capitals, who share owners with the Indian Premier League Delhi Capitals, which now puts his availability for England in question. With his pace and reverse swing, Wood would be a major asset for England in India.
His signing with Dubai is a further indication of England’s struggles to ensure their players are available for all international cricket as franchise leagues become more lucrative. England have shown a flexible approach to players who have franchise contracts, and allowed a series of players to opt out of the white-ball tour to Bangladesh earlier this year without it impacting their international prospects when available. But losing Wood for part of the Test series in India would be a major blow to England.
England’s next batch of central contracts begin in October. The growth of franchise leagues is creating pressure for England to revise their contract structure to better-reward their leading players. Multi-year contracts would be another way to give players more stability, with T20 franchises offering similar contracts to players.
As Telegraph Sport first revealed last year, IPL teams are also keen to offer players 12-month-a-year contracts to play for a series of franchises in different leagues.
Wood turns 34 in early 2024. While he has always demonstrated huge commitment to representing England, fulfilling his full contract with Dubai Capitals would help to safeguard his financial future. He has also had a chequered history with injury, and he would have less chance of suffering injury in T20 than playing Test cricket.
Another consideration for Wood could be the amount of time that he spends away from his family this winter. He is already in England’s World Cup squad, and is set to feature in next year’s IPL too. With the whole ILT20 based in Dubai, and T20 matches less intense than Tests, it would be far easier for Wood’s young family to visit him during the ILT20 than during the Test matches in India.
Next year’s ILT20 competition begins on January 13 with England’s Test series in India beginning on January 25. It remains possible that Wood could only feature at the start of the ILT20, and then travel to India.
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