Nottinghamshire teenager Luke Wood, who was 12th man for England during the recent Test victory over New Zealand, says the experience has strengthened his ambitions to one day be an international cricketer.
The 19-year-old left-armer has impressed in his debut season as a professional, earning a place in the first team, taking the new ball and thus far taking 11 wickets in three LV= County Championship appearances.
With England in need of left-arm pace bowlers to prepare their batsmen for Trent Boult, Wood was on hand to answer the call. He stuck around at Lord’s for the full match and came away thoroughly enriched by the experience.
“I was bowling at the England batsmen during the game, such as before play when one of them wanted to face a left-arm seamer,” Wood said. “It was awesome to be around them and they were all pretty nice.
“I also did a bit of 12th man, I did a bit of fielding out there and it was all a good experience.
“It was something I’d never done before, and a big occasion with a lot of people in the crowd, so it was really good for me.
"These are players I’ve watched on TV and things like that, so it felt a bit weird at times. But watching how they go about things, what they do in preparation to play and comparing it to what maybe I can do, that was really valuable.
“There was a lot of clarity about what they’re trying to do, they’re very focused on what they want to achieve and they’ve got a specific schedule in terms of preparing. I watched all of that and took it on board.”
England’s 124 run victory completed a monumental turnaround for Alastair Cook’s side having trailed by 134 runs on first innings.
And Wood revealed that the atmosphere, both in the England changing room and in the stands, will spur him towards the career ambition of playing international cricket.
“It couldn’t have been a better game to be involved in,” he said. "The crowd was deafening and egging the team on all day.
“It was good to hear the English supporters behind them and, when those two wickets went down to Ben Stokes, it was a really good atmosphere.
“I only went on to field once and it was the most nervous I’ve ever been – more nervous than when I’m bowling for certain.
“To see it all unfold like that on the last day was really good and it was really interesting to see how the mood was in the dressing room after each session.
“Being in there just after they won the game – it was a good place to be, especially after the way things have been going, there was a definite feeling of relief.
“It makes you want to get back there in the future even more than you previously realised.”
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England's rivalry against the Kiwis continue with explosive white ball action and secure your seat now.