When a private jet offer comes with a side of cricket, even the most seasoned players might pause—and England fast bowler Mark Wood found himself in that exact, surreal situation during his Indian Premier League stint. The 34-year-old paceman recently shared a hilarious and eyebrow-raising story on BBC's Strategic Timeout podcast, revealing how a franchise owner once proposed flying him in on a private plane just to play a match, despite Wood being seriously ill.
Wood, known for his blistering pace and infectious personality, recalled falling ill midway through the IPL season after featuring in just five games. The franchise's response? Unprecedented dedication. "Every half an hour, the doctor would stay back, come to my room, check on my vitals," Wood said, describing the constant medical attention. But the real twist came when the team owner personally called to check on his availability.
"How're you feeling? Ready to go?" the owner asked, to which Wood replied honestly, "I've eaten and drunk nothing, I still can't get out of bed." Undeterred, the owner pushed further, offering to arrange another doctor and explore other options. The next day, the owner called again, and Wood's response remained the same. That's when the offer took a turn straight out of a sports movie.
"I'll send a private plane," the owner said. "You get in the plane, play the game. Then I'll get the plane straight back out and get you back to your bedside." Wood couldn't help but laugh at the memory. The novelty of the proposition was so tempting that he even called his father for advice. "Dad, they're going to send a private plane," Wood said, his excitement palpable. But his father's response was grounded: "Yeah, but how do you feel?" Wood admitted, "Honestly, if I stand up, I feel not well… I could faint." His father's verdict was clear: "You're not right." Still, Wood couldn't resist adding, "But Dad, it's a private plane!"
In the end, Wood prioritized his health over the once-in-a-lifetime offer, a decision that any sports fan would respect. While the IPL is known for its glitz, glamour, and big-money deals, this story highlights the lengths franchises sometimes go to secure a player's availability—even if it means chartering a jet for a few hours. For Wood, though, even a private plane couldn't trump the simple reality of being too ill to play. It's a tale that reminds us that even in the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, sometimes the most surreal offers come with a dose of common sense.