Mark Wood returns in time to give England World Cup boost

Mark Wood (centre) celebrates Tanzid Hassan Tamim's victory Photo: Getty Images/Matt Roberts

England boost ahead of Championship opener world on Thursday against New Zealand, where Mark Wood played for the first time since his electric Ashes series.

Wood and Adil Rashid returned to action in England's final match before the start of their World Cup defense, appearing in the official announcement. Warm up against Bangladesh in Guwahati. England won the rain-affected match by four wickets with 77 balls remaining.

Moeen Ali's 56 off 39 balls put England on the brink of victory, while Joe Root's 26 of 40, struggled at times, but at least he had some valuable time in the center as all the senior players trained.

Wood has not played since the Ashes ended on July 31 and was nursing a heel injury during the series against New Zealand last month. But he bowled three overs at one for nine as Bangladesh posted 188 for nine in an innings shortened by rain to 37 overs.

The match was not an official ODI, with England fielding 14 players (the entire squad except Ben Stokes, who rarely plays in warm-up matches) and Jos Buttler sharing overs between nine different bowlers. England's first official warm-up against India on Saturday was rained out and the rain also shortened that game. Bangladesh were in 30 overs before the rain came, reducing the game to 37 overs per side.

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Wood, 33, played just three matches all summer, the last three Ashes Tests, but made a sensational impression, taking 14 wickets as England roared back into the series. He is a hugely important player for the World Cup defence, especially with Jofra Archer, another fast-paced player, injured.

Rashid is arguably England's most important player. He missed the last three ODI matches against New Zealand due to an injury caused by a cramp in the first match of the series. In Guwahati, he recorded figures of 5-1-27-2, including the big wickets of experienced Bangladeshi pair Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

England's three left-arm seamers Reece Topley, Sam Curran and David Willey shared six wickets, while while Bangladesh were tied down after a fast start.

The DLS adjusted England's target to 197 in 37 overs and Jonny Bairstow gave them a great start with 34 from 21 balls with four fours and a six, although at times it seemed that he can feel his back.

David Malan scored four, Harry Brook made a cameo with four fours off 15 balls and Jos Buttler scored 30 from 15 to keep the attack pace going.