Pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out for the rest of the year, missing England’s tours of Pakistan and New Zealand due to a bone-stress injury in his right elbow.
According to a release from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the 34-year-old noticed “increasing stiffness and discomfort” in his elbow during the two-match Test series against the West Indies.
He also featured in the first Test against Sri Lanka, where he sustained a right thigh injury.
The ECB confirmed that Wood is recovering well from the thigh injury, which initially sidelined him for the remainder of the summer.
In an Instagram post, Wood revealed that what he thought would be a routine elbow scan revealed the full extent of the injury.
“During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow,” Wood shared in his 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 assumed it was the normal niggles every fast bowler faces and continued playing through it.
“I’m especially surprised because I’ve been playing Test cricket and maintaining my speeds,” he continued.
“I work incredibly hard on my fitness, putting in extra effort with coaches and physios, which makes this even more disappointing.
However, as Stokes says, ‘this is part of being a fast bowler.’”
Wood remains optimistic about his return, expecting to be back in action early next year.
“I’ll miss the rest of the year, needing time to rest and build up, but I fully expect to be back and firing in early 2025.
I’ve been through this process before and will put in the hard work behind the scenes.
I’m proud to represent my country, and there’s no better feeling.”
In Wood’s absence, Olly Stone stepped in for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, while 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull made his debut in The Oval Test.
England will tour Pakistan in October for three Tests, followed by a December tour of New Zealand for three more Tests.
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