ENG v SL 2024: Mark Wood won't bowl on day four of Manchester Test against Sri Lanka - ECB

England premier seamer Mark Wood is ruled out of the ongoing day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Manchester, the ECB confirmed on social media. Wood pulled up two balls into his 11th over of the second inning later on day three, with the latest reports suggesting he suffered a right thigh injury. Wood left the field immediately after that.

With the tourists sitting in a comfortable position early on day four, they would like to bank on Wood’s absence and snatch an unlikely win out of England’s jaws with a handy lead.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

However, if Wood is ruledout of the second Test at Lord’s, Olly Stone will return to the playing XI for the first time in three years.

ALSO READ:Dinesh Karthik issues public apology for omitting MS Dhoni from his all-time India XI

Meanwhile, Wood, 34, has been the first name on England’s Test side following his return during last year’s Ashes. Having made headlines for bowling rockets over these years, Wood was on the top of his game this summer against West Indies in three Tests and the ongoing one versus Sri Lanka.

Alongside veteran batter Joe Root and emerging superstar Harry Brook, Wood was the only third player to be handed a three-year central contract - meaning he will be on that flight to Australia for next year’s away Ashes.

England’s pace bowling department has undergone significant uproars recently. The veteran duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson retired, and Ollie Robinson got dropped. Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton and Dillon Pennington are all out with respective injuries, while Brydon Carse is serving a three-month ban handed by the ECB's Cricket Regulator for his involvement in gambling.

I’d be shocked if England plays Wood at Lord’s- Broad

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the fourth day in Manchester, Test legend Broad said he would be shocked to see Wood playing the next match at Lord’s, adding England must take calculated risks and avoid putting Wood under scrutiny.

"Unconfirmed what the grade is, I suppose,” Broad said. "When we say Ben Stokes do his hamstring, here is was a grade two, and he was in immediate pain.

"Mark Wood actually ran into bowl.

"I would be amazed if it is anything too serious, but with his style of bowling, you don't want to push it too far or cause any more damage.

"I would be shocked if they risked him at Lord's on Thursday. Then you try and get him fit for the Oval,” he continued.

(With inputs from agencies)