‘500 is a realistic target for England’

Mark Wood, the England fast bowler, believes that the current one-day team is capable of becoming the first one to ever post a total of 500.

Wood was a shoo in for the World Cup side with his performances during the tour of West Indies earlier this year but a bone bruising left him out of the side and he did not bowl for two months. On Friday, when they play Pakistan, Wood and Jofra archer -- the English opening pair – may well be the fastest England has ever produced.

But the wicket he will be bowling on has not been easy on bowlers. England are holders of the two highest totals in ODI cricket – 481/6 against Australia and 444/3 against Pakistan, both in Nottingham.

In the second ODI against Pakistan, England chased down the visitors’ 359-run total with 31 deliveries to spare. Wood suggested that even 500 is possible for this current England side.

"That [500] is a realistic target for our one-day team," Wood told BBC Sport. "It's almost normal to get 350; 400 is easily gettable. We truly believe that we can chase down high scores, no matter what the opposition get."

The paceman also knows that competition for places is high and he will have to perform to make the World Cup squad.

"Everyone wants to make the World Cup squad, so you're desperate to push your case. Jofra is world-class and I would fully expect him to be in the World Cup squad. That leaves four or five of us trying to fight it out for the other places. Everyone has done well, it's hard to say what will happen. It means that tomorrow I will have step up and put in a good performance."