Mark Wood is about to miss England’s marquee Test series against India this summer after undergoing knee surgery.
The 35-year-old Durham paceman has endured an extended list of fitness problems over the course of his profession and sustained his latest setback during last month’s miserable Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan.
Freshly back on duty after an extended lay-off with a stress injury in his elbow, he pulled up sore during his side’s defeat to Afghanistan.
He returned to the sphere after treatment to bowl one other spell despite being in visible discomfort, raising concerns that he had aggravated a problem that the England and Wales Cricket Board says has been present for “over a 12 months”.
A specialist consultation, followed by the eighth operation of his profession, has now shown ligament damage in his left knee serious enough to place him back on the shelf for no less than 4 months.
Return
He’s targeting a return by the top of July, but with the ultimate game of England’s five-match series against India starting on the Kia Oval on July 31, he stands hardly any likelihood of being involved.
Wood may also miss six white-ball games against West Indies and a one-off Test versus Zimbabwe in May.
“I’m gutted to be out for thus long after representing England across all formats because the start of last 12 months,” said Wood, who posted an image on Instagram from his hospital bed.
“I’ve got every confidence that I’ll be back firing on all cylinders now that I’ve been in a position to sort my knee out.
“I need to thank the surgeon, the doctors, staff, my England team-mates and coaches for his or her support – and, after all, our fans. I can’t wait to get back and contribute to what will be an enormous 2025 for us as a team.”
Asset
Wood’s ability to hit express speeds of as much as 97mph mark him out as an irreplaceable asset in a 12 months that England might be fighting on multiple fronts – including resetting their ailing limited-overs side, taking down India and regaining the Ashes Down Under.
With the latter challenge now the almost definitely goal for Wood, questions could arise over whether his talents are best utilised as a Test specialist.
Injury issues among the many quicks are hardly a brand new thing but with Brydon Carse also withdrawing from each the Champions Trophy and the forthcoming IPL resulting from toe problems and Jofra Archer being fastidiously managed after almost five years of repeated setbacks, England are on high alert over their pace attack.
Fans have long craved seeing Wood and Archer in tandem within the red-ball arena however the pair have managed just one Test together, against West Indies in 2020.
Hopes are high for Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue, one other on the comeback trail after missing everything of last summer, while Leicestershire’s Josh Hull can be back in motion after a quad criticism curtailed his winter.
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