Mark Wood is set to miss England’s marquee Test series against India this summer after undergoing knee surgery.
The 35-year-old Durham paceman has endured a long list of fitness problems during his career and sustained his latest setback during last month’s miserable Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan.
Freshly back on duty after a long lay-off with a stress injury in his elbow, he pulled up sore during his side’s defeat to Afghanistan.
He returned to the field after treatment to bowl another spell despite being in visible discomfort, raising concerns that he had aggravated a problem that the England and Wales Cricket Board says has been present for “over a year”.
A specialist consultation, followed by the eighth operation of his career, has now shown ligament damage in his left knee serious enough to put him back on the shelf for a minimum of four months.
He is hoping to return by the end of July, but with the final game of England’s five-match series against India starting at the Kia Oval on July 31, he has little chance of being involved.
Wood will also miss six white-ball games against West Indies and a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May.
“I’m gutted to be out for so long after representing England across all formats since the start of last year,” said Wood, who posted a picture on Instagram from his hospital bed.
“I’ve got every confidence that I’ll be back firing on all cylinders now that I’ve been able to sort my knee out.
“I want to thank the surgeon, the doctors, staff, my England teammates and coaches for their support – and, of course, our fans. I can’t wait to get back and contribute to what is going to be a huge 2025 for us as a team.”
Wood’s ability to hit express speeds of up to 97mph mark him out as an irreplaceable asset in a year when England will be fighting on multiple fronts – including trying to reset their ailing limited-overs side, take down India and regain the Ashes in Australia.
With the latter challenge now the most likely target for Wood, questions could arise over whether his talents are best utilised as a Test specialist.
Injury problems among the quicks are hardly a new thing, but with Brydon Carse also withdrawing from both the Champions Trophy and the forthcoming IPL due to toe problems, and Jofra Archer being carefully managed after almost five years of repeated setbacks, England are on high alert over their pace attack.
Fans have long craved the sight of Wood and Archer working in tandem in red-ball cricket, but the pair have managed only one Test together, against West Indies in 2020.
Hopes are high for Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue, another who is on the comeback trail after missing the entirety of last summer, while Leicestershire’s Josh Hull is also back in action after a quad problem curtailed his winter.
PA
