Mark Wood pulled out of the Indian Premier League auction because he wanted to put England first.
England’s fastest bowler bucked the trend that will see other multi-format players spend a further eight weeks in a bio-secure bubble in April and May by taking his name out of the IPL hat just before Thursday’s auction.
‘It was a late decision because I think the IPL would have helped me as a cricketer and there was a huge opportunity to improve my wage by going there,’ said Wood, who is only on a white-ball contract with England.