The England national cricket team has suffered a devastating blow as the cricketing future of their star spinner Mark Wood for the remainder of the three-match Test series against the Sri Lanka national cricket team looks uncertain.
Wood is arguably the best and most dangerous fast-paced player in the England team right now and his absence in the upcoming matches would definitely weaken the team.
As usual, the 34-year-old looked menacing with the ball and in the first innings of the Manchester Test against Sri Lanka, he bowled eight overs. In those overs, he took one wicket and gave away just 31 runs.
When it was his turn to bowl in Sri Lanka’s second innings, he bowled at a fast pace and put Sri Lankan batsmen in trouble with his bounces. One of his deliveries was a little too lethal on day 3 as it hit Dinesh Chandimal on the thumb and forced him to retire hurt.
Earlier in the day, Mark Wood experienced leg discomfort after bowling the second ball of his 11th over. He immediately decided to leave the field and the remaining deliveries of his overs were bowled by Joe Root, who also took the wicket of Milan Rathnayake on the fourth ball of the over.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released an official statement just before the start of the fourth day of play in which they announced that the quick player would not take the field on Day 4. The ECB also confirmed Wood’s thigh injury and stated that he would undergo further scans to determine the full extent of the injury.
Mark Wood in doubt for remainder of Test series against Sri Lanka
According to the latest report from ESPNcricinfo, Mark Wood is very likely to miss the second Test against Sri Lanka and could even be ruled out of the rest of the series.
England are reportedly hoping Wood’s injury is just a strain and not a tear. They are likely to take a cautious approach to the player, considering his long injury history.
Should Mark Wood be ruled out of the upcoming matches, England will likely include Olly Stone in the starting XI. Notably, Stone was named in the Test squad but was released from the line-up to play in the County Championship for Nottinghamshire after not being included in the squad for the first Test.
The loss of Mark Wood would be the second major blow for England, as they lost their red-ball captain Ben Stokes to a hamstring tear.
The England captain suffered the injury while playing in The Hundred and has been ruled out for the rest of the summer. He was recently seen practising batting in the nets as he looks to make a speedy recovery and return to action.
Meanwhile, the second Test between England and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be hosted by Lord’s starting on Thursday, August 29. Moreover, the third and final Test is scheduled to be played from Friday, September 6 at The Oval.
