DURHAM and England paceman Mark Wood hopes to hear this week that he has been awarded a central contract.

While that would free up more money for Durham to recruit a batsman, Wood reassured their young bowlers that with hard work they can make the grade.

“I had to do a huge amount of work on my fitness over the last two winters because I had been struggling to bowl,” he said. “I have really felt the benefits and I feel my white-ball cricket has come on leaps and bounds. As I'm in the Test and one-day squads this winter I'm hoping to get a central contract.

“That would mean they can look after me and dictate what I can do. I have to accept that's for the best, even though it was disappointing for Ben Stokes and I not to be allowed to play in the Royal London Cup quarter-final.

“I missed the Lord's final last year through injury and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come from there to playing in an Ashes series this summer. Things couldn't have gone any better.”

Wood has an ankle problem which will not go away, but has been told he can continue to bowl without fear of permanent damage.

“I have to have it taped up all the time and it's just a question of dealing with the pain. If it gets to the point where it's reducing my speed I might have to have something done.

“People talk about my fitness record, but since last October I haven't been out for any length of time. I owe a lot to the physio who was with England Lions last winter. As well as the taping and strengthening work he even tried acupuncture. I've not a fan of needles at the best of times, but it seemed to help.

“My performances on that trip got me into the England team and I feel I've done OK. I was rested for one Test, when Steve Finn came in and did really well, so if Jimmy Anderson hadn't got injured I might not have played again.

“After all the hype of the Ashes and the mental test of playing against Australia it will be totally different against Pakistan in the UAE. It will be more a question of dealing with the heat and different types of pitches.”