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In a major blow to England‘s fast bowling arsenal, Mark Wood, the team’s quickest pacer, has been ruled out for the remainder of the year due to a bone-stress injury in his right elbow. The 34-year-old will miss England’s upcoming Test tours of Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December, a total of six matches.
Wood, who was withdrawn from the ongoing Sri Lanka series as a precaution after suffering a right thigh strain during the first Test at Old Trafford, underwent a routine elbow scan and was shocked to learn about the extent of his injury. In an Instagram post, Wood expressed his disappointment, saying, “During what I thought was routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow.”
Wood’s Impressive Form Before Injury
Prior to the injury setback, Wood had been bowling at some of the fastest speeds of his international career. During the Trent Bridge Test against West Indies in July, he hit a top speed of 97.1mph in an electrifying performance that left his captain, Ben Stokes, predicting he would break the 100mph barrier before his career ends. Although he went relatively unrewarded in that match, Wood bounced back strongly in the series finale at Edgbaston, claiming 5 for 40 in the first innings, his first five-wicket haul in a home Test.
However, Wood’s injury woes resurfaced during the Sri Lanka series, as he bowled just 18.2 overs across two innings at Old Trafford before being withdrawn from the action. “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,” Wood explained. “I’d put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through.”
Rehabilitation and Comeback Plans
Despite the setback, Wood remains optimistic about his recovery and is determined to return to full fitness by early 2025, in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin in February 2025. “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,” he said. “I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes.”
Wood’s absence will be a significant blow for England, who have relied on his express pace to unsettle opposition batters. However, the team has shown depth in their fast bowling resources, with Olly Stone recalled for last week’s Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka, his first appearance since undergoing back surgery three years ago. Additionally, 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull made his debut in the ongoing third Test at The Oval.
As Wood embarks on his rehabilitation journey, he remains positive and proud of his achievements in the England jersey. “I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling. See you for some rockets in 2025!” he concluded.
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Challenges Faced by Fast Bowlers
Wood’s injury serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by fast bowlers in the modern game. The constant strain on their bodies, coupled with the demands of international cricket, often leads to frequent injury setbacks. However, Wood’s resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles have been evident throughout his career.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the upcoming tours, Wood can take solace in the fact that he has played a crucial role in England’s recent success, particularly in the Ashes triumph earlier this year. His ability to consistently hit speeds in excess of 90mph has made him a valuable asset in the team’s quest for success.
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