- Pacer pulled up during over on the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka
- He has hit new heights this summer bowling at 97.1mph against the West Indies
- The 34-year-old is hoping to be back for India series and Champions Trophy
England have been dealt a brutal blow after it was confirmed that Mark Wood would miss the rest of the year’s cricket, ruling him out of tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.
The fast bowler pulled up midway through his over on the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka last month, setting off familiar alarm bells for those watching.
The 34-year-old immediately exited the field of play to receive treatment and has not appeared in the series since after being left out of the side for the final two Tests.
England have recruited Ollie Stone, returning to the format for the first time in three years, and 20-year-old Josh Hull in a bid to fill the Wood-shaped hole with the latter hoping to make his bowling bow on Saturday.
Now it appears the problem is worse than first feared with the 90mph seamer facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
England have been dealt a brutal blow after it was confirmed that Mark Wood would miss the rest of the year’s cricket
Wood has actually been bowling some of the quickest deliveries this summer, including a 97.1mph firecracker against the West Indies
England have recruited Ollie Stone, returning to the format for the first time in three years, to replace him
In an Instagram post Wood said: ‘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.
‘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 [Ben] 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!’
It is the latest setback for the Durham man after he had surgery on his right elbow in 2022 – a procedure which followed a string of injuries ruling him out of a host of series.
Wood has actually been bowling some of the quickest deliveries this summer, including a 97.1mph firecracker amid a hostile spell at the Trent Bridge Test against the West Indies.
His speed ended up taking its toll on Kevin Sinclair who suffered a broken elbow after being struck there in a wicket-taking delivery.
Josh Hull, 20, is hoping to make his bowling bow on Saturday after being called up to the side
Wood’s dpeed ended up taking its toll on Kevin Sinclair who suffered a broken elbow
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will be hoping he’s available for the Ashes in 2025-26
He closed out the series with a destructive display of bowling to the lower order which saw him earn figures of 5 for 40.
Wood will now work on yet another painful journey of recovery, with the paceman aiming to be back for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February.
Whatever happens Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will be hoping he is available for the away Ashes series in 2025-26 and can exploit the bouncy and quick wickets that England bowlers so often come up short on.
