ENG vs PAK 4th T20I: Mark Wood Dissects 'Ideal' T20 World Cup 2024 Preparations After Weather Spoils Series

England and Pakistan are currently playing a four-match T20I series as part of their preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. However, the weather has hindered their preparations, with two games being washed out due to continuous rain. So far, the teams have only played once in the series, with England defeating Pakistan in the second T20I by 23 runs. With one game remaining and the series standing at 1-0 in England's favour, star England pacer Mark Wood believes that the cancelled games have affected England's T20 World Cup 2024 preparation. After the series concludes, England will travel to the West Indies for the showpiece event. Their first match will be against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

Mark Wood dissects 'ideal' T20 World Cup 2024 preparations after weather spoils Pakistan series

England will lock horns with Pakistan in the fourth T20I at the Kennington Oval ground in London on May 30. Jos Buttler led England were brilliant with both the bat and ball in the second T20I match but unfortunately the third match got washed out due to rain. English captain Jos Buttler played a brilliant hand with the bat, whereas the bowlers displayed a complete team performance. With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, England will want to win the fourth T20I match and add their hands to the trophy. With one game remaining and the series standing at 1-0 in England's favour, star England pacer Mark Wood believes that the cancelled games have affected England's T20 World Cup 2024 preparation.

"Obviously, it's not ideal when you schedule four games, and we might only get one or two. A few of the lads are keen to get a run out at the Oval, so that will help. It will give confidence to everyone in the group. It was a good game the other day against Pakistan. They looked like they were pushing us really close and might have got there in the end if it wasn't for such good bowling and shutting the game out from (Reece) Topley, (Chris) Jordan, and (Jofra) Archer," Mark Wood said.

England does not have the privilege of playing a warm-up fixture like other teams ahead of the global event. To add to their challenges, some of their players even left the highly competitive Indian Premier League to play against Pakistan. However, Wood feels that the players coming from the IPL 2024 season are match-ready, and warm-up fixtures do give a certain edge in tinkering with the squad. After the series concludes, England will travel to the West Indies for the T20 World Cup 2024. Their first match will be against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

"Yes, we have got experience, but warm-up games always give you a sense of different things you can tinker with. Who is in good form? Who needs to work on other things? Some lads have been playing at the IPL, and they are match-ready. Other lads haven't, and the lads that haven't, is there a freshness?" Wood added.

The ongoing threat of rain at the Oval may once again disappoint fans hoping to see England take on Pakistan. Jos Buttler will not play in England's fourth T20I against Pakistan as he is on paternity leave. With the first and third T20I games already affected by rain, there is a strong possibility of further interruptions due to rain and thunderstorms. England has taken an unassailable lead and would be declared the winners if rain interrupts and Pakistan fails to level the series.