Paul Collingwood cautions Pakistan about Mark Wood

Paul Collingwood, the former England captain, sent out a warning to the touring Pakistan team ahead of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against England on Sunday (August 21). The Durham skipper feels that his team mate, Mark Wood, will cause 'lot of problems with the white ball'.

The 26-year-old fast bowler, who has had his fair share of injuries - the recent one being an ankle injury which kept him out of the England squad since October last year - was recalled for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting Wednesday (August 24).

Wood played a vital role in taking Durham to the final of the Natwest T20 Blast. The speedster was the Man of the Match in the semifinal against Yorkshire, where he claimed 4-25 in his allotted quota of overs. His victims included England Test batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance, while Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan were the other two.

"He's ideal for this form of the game because he knows he's only got four overs to bowl and he's going to try to bowl every single one at full tilt," Collingwood told reporters."He's not worried about second or third spells. He's a genuine wicket-taker and in the current game of T20 cricket, where guys give themselves a base and want to hit out, it certainly gives you another thing to think about when you can get hit on the head at real pace.

"That's why he takes his wickets. He got good quality international batsmen out today (Saturday) with pure pace. He's a great man to have in a T20 side."

Joe Root, one of England's best batsman, was kept on a leash during the finals day. The Yorkshire batsman had no clue while facing Wood, who kept nipping it around at 90mph. "He made me look as if I was batting with my hands and feet on backwards," said Root.

Wood has not played much of first-class cricket since his injury. However, he has been playing List A and Twenty20 cricket for Durham and Collingwood is confident that he would not have any problems in dealing with the rigours of the 50-over format.

"Certainly in white ball (limited-overs), he's ready because, as I said he doesn't have to come back for second and third spells," Collingwood reckoned."He bowled 20-odd overs against Middlesex last week in a four-day (County Championship) game and obviously his body is still getting used to those sort of spells, but he is going to cause a lot of problems with the white ball, that's for sure," he concluded.

With David Willey ruled out of the series, Wood is a favourite to start the first ODI against Pakistan at Southampton.