England bowler Mark Wood is keen to renew his battle with Shane Watson in the upcoming Ashes after the Australian angrily called him a “net hero” in 2009.
Wood, who made his Test debut last month against New Zealand, annoyed Watson when – at the age of 19 – he was used as a net bowler when Australia played in Durham.
The 25-year-old, who took nine wickets in two Tests against the Black Caps, recalled the incident when speaking to BBC Radio Five Live.
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“I had a famous incident with [Watson] in the Durham nets,” Wood said.
“I remember Michael Hussey asking me to bounce Watson – to which I wasn’t going to say no.
“I let him have one, he’s gloved it, and he didn’t give me the best of looks.
“Next ball, Hussey said: “Give it him again,” so I’ve bumped him again, and this time he’s absolutely smoked it, picked up the ball, threw it back down the wicket at me, called me a “net hero” and said that he would like to have a go at me.
“Well, he’s going to get his chance, so I’d like to have a go at Shane Watson one more time, and let’s hope he remembers me, because he’s going to get a few more bumpers.”
Wood hopes that he will catch the Australians unaware in the five-Test series, which starts in Cardiff on July 8.
“I’d like to think a few of the Australians don’t know much about us and aren’t looking forward to facing me,” he added.
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