Mark Wood, the lethal English pacer has been confirmed to have a stress injury to his elbow, which rules him out of contention for the rest of 2024.
“ 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 said in an Instagram post.
“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. 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.”
Mark Wood was seen featuring for the English side in the T20 World Cup which was held this year in June, and was a part of the team that played into the semis of the World Cup. However, Buttler’s team couldn’t win further as they fell short of the Indian team.
Next Wood was seen starring for England in the longest format of the game, as they are hosting the Sri Lankan side. Mark Wood bowled in the match against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Manchester. He bowled the first innings and also went on to pick 2 wickets, while he had to withdraw while bowling a few overs into the second innings.
His stiffness and discomfort on his elbow seemed evident from the Windies tour itself, however, it was assured after the series against the Lankans. Wood didn’t take the field on Day 4, as then he was dropped from the England squad for the second and third test.
Josh Hull was announced as his replacement, however, it was Olly Stone who took to the field in the second Test. The 20-year-old, 6ft 7inches pacer, Hull made his debut at the Kia Oval, as he replaced Matthew Potts from the side.
The injury proven means he will be out of action for England’s tour to Pakistan in October and then the tour to New Zealand in December. He will also play a vital role in England’s white-ball series and ICC Champions Trophy, and hence the ECB medical team will closely ensure Wood’s recovery and his rehabilitation.
Even Wood has shown signs of being back to the game, after spending time to rest and build fitness in his body to be back by early 2025.
