Blow to England as Mark Wood ruled out of Pakistan, New Zealand tours with elbow injury

Ace England seamer Mark Wood got ruled out of the upcoming Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand due to a bone-stress injury to his left elbow. The premier fast bowler withdrew from the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka on precautionary grounds after suffering a right thigh strain during the first Test in Old Trafford. He, however, underwent a routine elbow scan, and following feeling discomfort in his joints, took to his Instagram handle to announce receiving some ‘pretty rubbish news’.

"During what I thought was routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I've got some bone stress in my right elbow," Wood wrote on his social media handle.

"After the minor groin injury at Emirates Old Trafford, me and the medical team felt it was a good time to get my elbow looked at as it was a bit irritated," Wood added in his Instagram post. "I'd put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through.

"I'm especially surprised because I've been playing Test cricket and kept my speeds up.

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"I work incredibly hard on my fitness, putting in extra work with coaches and physios making this even more disappointing. However, I guess this is, 'part of being a fast bowler', like Stokesy says.

"I will miss the rest of the year needing time to rest and build up, fully expecting to be back and firing in early 2025. I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling. See you for some rockets in 2025!"

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A post shared by Mark Wood (@mawood33)

Wood to return with rockets

As a result, the right-arm seamer will miss England’s final six Tests this year – three against Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December. In the meantime, Wood will continue working with the ECB’s medical staff to prepare and be ready for the next ICC event – the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan in February-March.

In Wood’s absence, England recalled seamer Olly Stone in the XI for the second Test against SL at Lord’s, and left-arm quick uncapped Josh Hull made his international debut in the ongoing third Test at The Kia Oval.

Meanwhile, England would want to have fully fit Wood available for the next year, which includes the Champions Trophy, WTC Final (should England qualify for the final), home five-match Test series against India and an away Ashes.

(With inputs from agencies)