"I bowl at good pace and look to get wickets" - Mark Wood © Getty

A fast bowler's rhythmic lead-up to the crease and subsequently, propelling the ball at astounding speeds is exhilarating and thrilling to watch. Mark Wood, the Durham fast bowler, is one of those who can thrill the senses with his spells of quick bowling. He isn't just quick as he can also hit the deck hard and move the ball in the air and off the pitch.

The fast bowler has also been in good form, having picked up 12 scalps in the recently-concluded Test series against South Africa. The 30-year-old, who was rested for the ODI series versus South Africa, talked about his role in the side ahead of the first T20I against South Africa in East London on February 12.

"It is still a batter's game. Look, I bowl at good pace and look to get wickets and that is my role in the team. So that is what I would probably be interested with if I get selected, to make a difference and get a key wicket when needed. It is the role that Moggie (Eoin Morgan) has asked me to play and I hope I can continue to do well," Mark Wood ahead of the East London T20I.

The fast bowler also said that it would be great to play against the veteran pacer Dale Steyn. The South African fast bowler, who retired from Tests to prolong his career, is set to play his first T20I since March 2019. "Definitely the coolest of the bunch (fast bowlers). I mean, (there are) spinners and batters but the fast bowlers are the coolest lads. It is great to have Dale Steyn. I have played against him before. So, it would be awesome to see how he goes about things on the the park. Look, fast bowling around the world, there are plenty of good fast bowlers out there."

The current 50-over World Champions are aiming to make it a rare double by hoisting the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia. Wood, on his part, noted that they would continue to play an aggressive brand of cricket. He also observed that it would be difficult to beat South Africa in their own conditions.

"They (South Africa) are going to be a difficult team to beat in their own conditions. So we have to play well to beat them," Wood said. "The white ball journey that we went on, which changed the way we played, is just continuing now from the 50-over game into the T20.

I think it will be the same sort of motivational speech from Moggie, the same sort of team dynamics, taking that aggressive option, positive intent, always looking to be on the front foot, I'm sure 50 overs or whether it is T20s, it will be the same. Probably a continuation of the 50-over stuff."