The second T20 against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday, which the hosts won by 23 runs, was England’s first match in the format this year. Pakistan, in contrast, have played 14 T20s in 2024.

The weather-hit series comes after more than half of England’s squad returned early from the Indian Premier League to prepare.

“You can look at both sides,” Wood said.

“Some lads have been playing at the IPL and they’re match ready. The lads that haven’t, is there a freshness?

“At the IPL, you’re playing all the time, other lads have seen your tricks, they’ve seen what you’re doing.”

Coach Matthew Mott also missed a day of training because of a family issue while captain Jos Buttler was absent from their third T20 because of the imminent birth of his third child but England are also not the only side to have troubled preparation for the World Cup.

Head coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey were among four members of the backroom staff who took the field for Australia against Namibia on Tuesday with only nine players available because of commitments at the IPL.

Wood, meanwhile, has not played since England’s fifth Test in India on 9 March because of a knee issue but would have returned in the third T20 in Cardiff on Tuesday but for the weather.

Thursday’s match at The Oval would be his first T20 of any kind since April 2023.

“It will be important for me, to be honest with you,” Wood said.

“I actually feel like I’m getting to the stage where I’m off my full run, I’m ready to play.

“I feel I was in a position to bowl quickly and test it out.”