England pacer Mark Wood ruled out of upcoming Pakistan Test tour

LONDON: England’s top pace bowler Mark Wood will miss the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand following a bone stress injury to his right elbow.

“England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out for the rest of the year following a right elbow injury,” the England Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

After the injury, Mark Wood will be out of action during England’s tour of Pakistan in October and the tour of New Zealand in December. However, he hopes to be fit in early 2025 for the white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

According to the board, Wood noticed increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during the Test series against the West Indies earlier in the summer. However, he played the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford managing the discomfort.

We’re backing you all the way, Woody

Looking forward to the return of the rockets in 2025 pic.twitter.com/cariGlf8bS

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2024

“During that Test match, Wood also sustained a right thigh injury, which is being managed and from which he is recovering well,” ECB added. He was then rested from the playing XIs from the second and third Tests against Sri Lanka.

In an Instagram post, Mark Wood said, “During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow.”

England’s pace sensation will continue to work closely with the ECB medical team on his management and rehabilitation.

I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling, Wood wrote. “See you for some rockets in 2025!”