England paceman Mark Wood set to miss India series after latest injury setback
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 over the course of 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 an issue 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 targeting a 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 stands hardly any chance of being involved.
Wood will also miss six white-ball games against West Indies and a one-off Test versus 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 team-mates 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 that England will be fighting on multiple fronts – including resetting their ailing limited-overs side, taking down India and regaining the Ashes Down Under.
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 issues 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 seeing Wood and Archer in tandem in the red-ball arena but the pair have managed only one Test together, against West Indies in 2020.
Hopes are high for Nottinghamshire's Josh Tongue, another on the comeback trail after missing the entirety of last summer, while Leicestershire's Josh Hull is also back in action after a quad complaint curtailed his winter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Surrey suffer first defeat as Bears beat Durham
A 92-run opening stand followed by taking early wickets in the reply helped The Blaze end Surrey's 100% start to the women's T20 Blast at The Kelly and Georgia Elwiss got the visitors off to a lively start after being put in to bat by the leaders and they never looked back despite their innings falling Wyatt-Hodge threatened to lead an unlikely Surrey victory charge after the loss of three wickets in the opening 10 balls but her dismissal for 60 ended any hopes of a fifth successive the day's other game Mady Villiers made an unbeaten 85 for struggling Durham but was powerless to prevent the impressive Bears from cantering to a seven-wicket win in the North scorecardsWith four wins under their belt, Surrey were expected to be tested by the second-placed Blaze in the capital and so it proved as the visitors raced out of the blocks with Kelly smashing 46 from 29 balls in a 92-run opening stand with five fours and two sixes should have precipitated a run-fest for The Blaze but after Elwiss' well-constructed 61 only Josie Groves (19 not out) reached double figures as they finished on may have fancied their chances of chasing down that target but were rocked back on their heels as Bryony Smith, Kira Chathli and Paige Scholfield were all dismissed without Wyatt-Hodge's fourth half-century in five innings gave them hope of a recovery but when she was dismissed for 60 to reduce the home side to 85-5, The Blaze, led by captain Kirstie Gordon's 3-35, were able to get over the line and reduce the gap at the top to just one point. Villiers' career-best knock in vain as Bears ease home Durham suffered a fourth defeat in five outings despite a T20 career-best 85 not out from England all-rounder Mady winning the toss and choosing to bat the home side were soon in trouble when they lost former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates to the third ball of the innings - clean bowled by England's Issy Wong without Dobson (8) quickly became Wong's second scalp but Villiers, who was dropped early in her innings, crashed 11 fours and one six while finding useful support from skipper Hollie Armitage (15) and Bess Heath (27) to keep the scoreboard ticking over and set a challenging return of 2-19 was well backed up by Hannah Baker's 2-22 from her four overs with the Bears bowling attack standing-up well to Villiers' visitors made light work of their victory target with openers Meg Austin and Davina Perrin sharing a stand of 62 from the opening six overs to set a platform for them to ease home with 10 balls to eventually perished for 49 from 31 deliveries only for wicketkeeper Nat Wraith to take the Bears to the brink of victory with her 56 containing seven fours before she became Villiers' sole victim with the ball."I don't think we should go away from how well Mady (Villiers) played first half - it was a great innings and if you're doing things like that, you shouldn't be losing games of cricket," said Durham head coach Dani Bears remain in third place while Durham are second from bottom. Thursday fixture Chelmsford: Essex v HampshirePlay starts 14:30 BST
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal star David Raya dresses as an air stewardess and serves passengers in hilarious pics from Las Vegas stag do
Arsenal ace David Raya was joined by other footballers UP IN THE AIR UP IN THE AIR Arsenal star David Raya dresses as an air stewardess and serves passengers in hilarious pics from Las Vegas stag do ARSENAL ace David Raya jetted off to Las Vegas for his stag do with close friends. Raya, 29, helped the Gunners finish second in the Premier League with some solid performances between the sticks that also contributed to his team's run to the Champions League semi-finals. Advertisement 8 Arsenal ace David Raya flew to Las Vegas for his stag do 8 Raya was joined by his brother, a comedian and some LaLiga footballers 8 Raya dressed as an air stewardess and served cookies to fellow passengers 8 Raya shared a series of snaps from his trip to Las Vegas ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours from the Emirates But now the goalkeeper is gearing up for his wedding with model fiancee Tatiana Trouboul. The Spain international proposed to Tatiana in October of last year and they are now set to marry. And the Spain international has kicked off the wedding preparations with a bachelor party in Sin City. Advertisement Raya was joined by his brother Oscar as well as Spanish comedian Tomas Garcia Serrano. A number of footballers also linked up with them including Getafe's Diego Rico Salguero as well as Rayo Vallecano's Adri Embarba and Unai Lopez. All of them took to the streets of Vegas wearing Arsenal gear and taking group photos. But before making it to the US, Raya was pictured dressed as an air stewardess during the flight. Advertisement The keeper appeared to be serving other passengers cookies on board the aircraft. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Tatiana and Raya have been together since 2021 but left it until June 2022 to go public with their relationship. Advertisement The model heralds from Barcelona but has since moved her life to London to be alongside Raya. Arsenal star David Raya cosies up to model fiancee on yacht as she leaves little to imagination in see-through tights She previously divided her time between the capital and Spain. 8 Raya is engaged to model fiancee Tatiana Trouboul Credit: Instagram @ 8 Raya and Tatiana have been together since June 2021 Credit: Instagram @ @ Advertisement 8 Raya proposed to Tatiana last year Credit: X formerly Twitter / @DavidRaya_22 / Instagram / @
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hundreds sign petition over Birmingham Alexander Stadium management plan
More than 700 people have signed a petition calling on Birmingham City Council "to halt the planned handover" of the running of the Alexander venue formed the centrepiece of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but now is at the centre of a row between its owners, the local authority, and local want a public consultation into plans to hand the running of the site and attached gym to Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT) and its partners Serco until council said the site would remain in public ownership, but like other leisure venues would be run on its behalf by BCLT, which had a "proven track record" in improving public participation while lowering costs. The stadium was revamped with more than £70m of public funding in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, with politicians, including then Prime Minister Theresa May promising it would benefit the local organisers have called for local residents and gym users to be able to have their say on the proposals. 'Best value' Petition organiser Andrew Gulliver cited a report to the council's cabinet in March, which said no "further consultation has been undertaken" over the proposed contract change. The report said the council had a contract with BCLT for operating other leisure centres and the proposal to incorporate managing the stadium would secure "best value" from the remaining time of the contract until the petition statement asks the authority to commit to exploring alternative management options, including a "council-run, non-profit or community-led model that can meet savings targets".The March local authority report said under the plans the stadium would attract more users, leading to higher membership and usage fees that would deliver a £300,000 a year saving. It said it was essential the facility "transitions to its most efficient and effective operating model" and outsourcing management would mean better "community engagement".The authority told the BBC it had agreed to establish a gym user group with council and BCLT representatives "to work through issues and concerns". Planned improvements included a new 120-station health and fitness suite, a new artificial pitch for football and rugby, a new cycle studio and a refurbished indoor athletics hall, it completed stadium regeneration "delivers a lasting" Games legacy in promoting sport and recreation "for not just the people of Perry Barr but the whole city", the council said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
