Mark Wood has praised ECB's “brilliant” Pace Programme after his winter training helped pave the way for his England recall.
The Durham seam bowler was named in England's ICC Champions Trophy squad having proved his fitness following three ankle operations within a 12-month period.
Wood’s last injury in October forced the 27-year-old to miss England’s winter tours of Bangladesh and India, as well as the three-match ODI series in the West Indies in March.
Wood stepped up his recovery during the winter with some of the country’s most talented young fast bowlers on the Pace Programme at the National Centre in Loughborough and South Africa.
Having been a graduate of the Pace Programme before earning his first England cap, Wood believes it provides an ideal environment for fast bowlers to optimise their strength and fitness.
“This is actually the third time that I’ve been on this programme,” Wood said.
“Two or three years ago I came on as a young lad and that programme helped me massively in my development, getting me on an England Lions tour off the back of some strength work. It helped me develop as a bowling, putting on a yard of pace.
“The last two times I’ve been injured, I’ve used this programme for my rehabilitation.
“It’s brilliant for young lads coming in, but it’s also great for me to train down here at Loughborough. It gets you stronger and more robust, it gets you used to slamming your foot on the floor, which is a key part of running in to bowl.
“It also gets you used to bowling long overs and we have things like mobility sessions which loosen you up.
“We have great physios, we do things the right way here with England. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed joining on with the lads every time I have been on this programme.”