Neal's special message to Mark Wood
England cricketer Mark Wood is focusing his attention on Australia as the battle for the Ashes gets underway in Cardiff this week – but he took time out to drop manager Neal Ardley a reminder of his football skills!
The Durham bowler has had an amazing year so far, forcing his way into the selectors' thoughts with an impressive Test, ODI and T20 series against New Zealand.
The Ashington born right arm quick also surprised many people with his choice of football team as AFC Wimbledon, having followed Wimbledon as a boy partly due to the fact former Dons goalkeeper Hans Segers looked like his father.
Lawyer and agent James Welch stoked the 25 year-old up before facing the tourists by tweeting a clip titled “Mark Wood misses sitter from Jimmy Anderson dream pass in warm-up”, as England prepared with a game of football.
@AFCWimbledon might be having 2nd thoughts about signing you...” Welch wrote: “What is going on @MAWood33!
and clip saying: “@JamesWelch1983 @AFCWimbledon they missed my volley though!!!” But Wood was having none of it and hit back with a spectacular shot, impressive celebration
The clip, which can be viewed on our club twitter account, didn’t go unnoticed by AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley, who Wood has said was his favourite Dons player
On a serious note all the very best to you and the England team for the Ashes. We are right behind you all and it's great watching your personal progress now we know you are a real Don! Look forward to seeing you at a game soon.” Neal said: “Not bad technique Mark, when can you make training?
. here Mark has also backed our earphone campaign for War Child and the AFC Wimbledon Foundation, of which there is still time for you to pre-order a pair of these for two great causes by clicking
All at AFC Wimbledon wish Mark Wood and the England team the very best in their intriguing battle this summer, which starts on Wednesday morning.