England’s fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan and will also miss the series against New Zealand later this year due to an elbow injury. The injury, which Wood sustained during the series against the West Indies, has been confirmed as a bone stress injury in his right elbow.
Despite managing the discomfort during the Test series against the West Indies and continuing to play in the subsequent Test match against Sri Lanka, the injury has persisted. Wood also sustained a right thigh injury during the Sri Lanka Test, which is currently being managed and from which he is recovering well.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that Wood will be sidelined for the remainder of 2024, with the aim of returning to full fitness by early 2025. His rehabilitation will involve complete rest and medical care to ensure a full recovery. Wood’s absence will affect England’s winter Test tours to Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December.
Wood is expected to be fit in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled to start in February 2025. The ECB stated that specialists are closely monitoring his injury and that his rehabilitation process is ongoing.
