Former England captain Michael Vaughan has reacted to the latest setbacks suffered by the Test team in the form of dynamic all-rounder and captain Ben Stokes and star fast bowler Mark Wood. A hamstring injury in The Hundred 2024 has ruled Stokes out for the rest of the English summer.
Meanwhile, a right thigh muscle strain has ruled Mark Wood out of the remainder of the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
England cricket team management confirmed on Sunday, August 25, that the pacer has been ruled out of the next two Test matches.
Michael Vaughan: England will miss Mark Wood more than Ben Stokes
Mark Wood, who has suffered numerous setbacks throughout his career due to fitness problems, sustained the thigh injury on the third day of England’s five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. He was unable to return to the field on the fourth day of play.
Responding to the latest setback, Michael Vaughan believes that Mark Wood’s absence would be a bigger setback for England than not having Stokes in the final two matches of the home series against Sri Lanka. The cricket pundit highlighted that Mark Wood offers something special with his exceptional speed, which not even Jofra Archer can replicate.
The BBC Test Match Special quoted Michael Vaughan as saying: “Mark Wood is the key – look at the whole England team, even Ben Stokes now. Ben Stokes is a talisman, an incredible cricketer. England miss him, but they will miss Wood even more because there is no one who can bowl at 95 miles an hour.”
Vaughan further noted: “Wood is fast becoming the most important member of this team because he brings something that no one else can. Not even Jofra Archer can bowl at this pace. He (Wood) is bowling at 95-97 miles per hour.”
We saw it this morning when the pitch was flat; there wasn’t much spin; there was no lateral movement; they were crying out for Wood. He’s not going to play at Lords. We may not see him again this summer.”
Michael Vaughan urges England to treat Wood carefully for long-term success
Vaughan suggests England should be extremely cautious about Wood’s fitness over the coming weeks. He believes it is crucial to ensure Wood is in top condition for next year, with the aim of being available for around 60 or 70 per cent of Test matches.
Vaughan believes that if England keep Wood fit, they have the potential to achieve something remarkable in the format.
Earlier, England captain Ollie Pope credited the bowlers for the way they led from the front, saying everyone likes Joe Root when he walks on the field and there was always a sense of calm in the team.
After praising centurion Jamie Smith, Pope concluded by saying: “He has transformed his form on the Test pitch; I couldn’t be happier for him. I enjoyed him on the field, reading the game and finding ways to take 20 wickets. It was difficult to bowl on that pitch after 15 or 20 overs; it was tiring, but that will always be the case.”