England have announced Mark Wood’s replacement for the final two matches of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. The right-hander has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a thigh injury.
Mark Wood suffered the injury late on the third day of the recently concluded ENG vs SL first Test in Manchester. The quick player experienced discomfort in his thigh after bowling the second ball of his 11th over. He retired from his run-out for the third ball before leaving the field. Joe Root replaced him in the attack.
On Saturday (24 August), which was the fourth day of the test, the ECB declared that the player would not take the field. Less than an hour after the match started, Mark Wood left the stadium to undergo an ultrasound scan. And on Sunday, the ECB revealed the result of the ultrasound.
The ECB said scans have confirmed a muscle strain in his right thigh. As a result, Mark Wood will be unable to take part in the second and third tests of the ongoing series.
Mark Wood’s replacement for the last two ENG vs SL tests:
As well as reporting on Mark Wood’s fitness, ECB also announced his replacement for the remainder of the series. Leicestershire left-hander Josh Hull, 20, has earned his first call-up to replace the fast bowler in the England squad for the second and third Tests.
Standing at 1.98m tall, Josh Hull caught the eye last year when he played a major role in Leicestershire’s One-Day Cup victory. Earlier this month, he made his debut for the England Lions against the Sri Lankan side. The left-handed player made an instant impact by taking five wickets for 74 runs as the Lions won the game by 7 wickets.
Meanwhile, England are leading the series after winning the first Test in Manchester by 5 wickets. The second Test is scheduled to be played from August 29 at Lord’s.
England squad:
Ollie Pope (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes
ENG vs SL Test Series Schedule:
First Test: England v Sri Lanka, 21–25 August 2024, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester – England won by five wickets Second Test: England v Sri Lanka, 29 August – 2 September 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London Third Test: England v Sri Lanka, 6–10 September 2024, Kia Oval, London
