Mark Wood, who today marked his England debut by ousting Ireland captain Will Porterfield, is enjoying being treated “like royalty and shipped here, there and everywhere” in his first taste of senior international duty.
The 25-year-old Durham paceman was among those to have played in today’s abandoned Royal London one-day international having just returned from England’s tour of the Caribbean.
He did not feature in the drawn Test series with West Indies, but got a chance in Malahide in a fresh-looking line-up featuring four other debutants.
Wood, speaking in his strong north-east brogue, told ecb.co.uk:“It’s fantastic. I’ve not known anything like it to be honest. Tret like royalty and shipped here, there and everywhere.
“It’s brilliant. Everyone’s been fantastic since I’ve come in, the players and staff have been really good with us, so long may that continue.”
Wood, nicknamed ‘The Duke of Ashington’ after his medieval antics for Durham, has ridden an upward curve of international honours since last season.
Late last year he was part of the England Performance Programme fast bowlers camp in Potchefstroom, and he returned to South Africa with England Lions at the start of 2015.
He subsequently earned his first senior England call-up, for the Windies trip, but had to make do with warm-up appearances there.
Having performed many off-field duties in the Caribbean, Wood was thrilled to make his bow today.
“It was a smashing moment, obviously, to get on the field,” he reflected.
“I’ve spent a lot of time running drinks on and things like that but great to get on the field and obviously that rhythm will come the more I play. It was good for people to eventually see us play.”
Wood, who is set to represent Durham in their LV= County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire from Sunday, added: “I’m immensely proud to have made my debut, and obviously my family back home will be proud as well.
“As you can see behind us, it’s been washed out. So a bit disappointing there; we were doing really well as well. A great occasion, but unfortunately cut short.”
His victim today Porterfield, a left-handed opening batsman, played on when driving with an angled bat.
Wood admits to being below his best, having not previously bowled in a competitive fixture since early February, as figures of 1-25 from five overs perhaps reflect.
“I didn’t actually think I bowled that great to be honest,” he said. “The wicket was definitely a bonus, so [I’m] off and running now which is good.”