Overview
Barry Wood (born 26 December 1942) is a former English cricketer and footballer who played for the England cricket team in both Test and ODI competitions. From 1964-1983 he competed in first-class cricket for Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire.
Domestic Competition
Born in Ossett, Yorkshire, Wood made his first-class debut for Yorkshire in 1964, but transferred to Lancashire two years later for more playing time. Wood returned to County Cricket for a spell with Cheshire (1986-1989), where he notably recorded five consecutive noughts, and won his final Man of the Match gold award, aged 46. In 1989, an injury to Wasim Akram led to Wood being recalled for Lancashire in their championship match against Warwickshire, where he caught out Andy Moles. In 1989 and 1990 Wood played as professional for Saddleworth league club Shaw. Wood's son, Nathan Wood, would go on to play for Lancashire, Cheshire and Young England.
International Competition
Wood's 1970s Lancashire form led to his selection for the final 1972 Ashes Test at The Oval. While Wood batted 90, Australia went on to win the match and draw the series. He struggled to replicate this form on further Test call ups for tours of India & Pakistan, and New Zealand. However, Wood played again in the 1975 Test against Australia - scoring a half century - and against Pakistan in 1978. Wood performed more reliably at ODI level, where his batting average and wicket-taking were both higher. He competed in thirteen matches between 1972 and 1982, including the inaugural 1975 World Cup, and was the first person to be dismissed by the first ball in an ODI match, bowled by Andy Roberts at Scarborough on 26 August 1976.
Recalled unexpectedly for a match against India in 1982, four years after his last international and aged 39, Wood scored 78 not out - his highest ODI score - and won the man of the match award. This was his last international game.
Football
Wood also played football. He was a midfielder for Ossett Town A.F.C. in the Yorkshire Football League in the mid-1960s and played for Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. in the Northern Premier League in the 1970s as well as for Stalybridge Celtic F.C. for a spell.
Controversy
Wood was involved in a 1975 pay dispute that led to the suspension of Lancashire's international players (Wood, Peter Lever, and Frank Hayes). Lever and Hayes were suspended for three games; Wood for six. Shortly before his departure from Old Trafford in 1979, which included a testimonial, Wood was involved in another pay dispute. Wood's 1980 move to Derbyshire was obstructed by the TCCB attempting to block his registration. Only a ballot by the P.C.A, with fellow players supporting him 154-31, ended the impasse.