England fast-bowler Mark Wood is set to be ruled out of the three-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning June 2, after “slow progress” on an elbow injury that he picked up on the tour of West Indies in late March and one that forced him out of a stint in IPL 2022.
Livid by the timing of the injury as it came on the heels of a fruitful winter in Tests, Wood, however, is mindful of not forcing the issue with his rehab and isn’t desperate to immediately add to his tally of caps in the format for England.
The pacer is highly unlikely to take any part in the New Zealand Tests, with his presence also seemingly improbable at this stage in the standalone fixture versus India at the start of July. If at all he features in any of England’s World Test Championship games at home this summer, it would come in late August or September when the South Africans come around.
“I’m off half a run-up. I’m hoping that I can get off my full run-up in the next couple of weeks and then hopefully play for Durham after that. But at the minute it’s a little bit slow going,”
“Every time I bowl at the moment there’s still a bit of swelling. They’ve assured us that that’s normal, because I’ve had surgery five weeks ago, so it’s obviously still a little bit raw.”
Wood was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Wood says he is planning his comeback on a format basis, hoping to build energy via the limited-overs versions and be strong enough eventually to bowl Test match spells in full steam.
Having to say so would be deeply painful for even the usually jovial Wood, who was finally beginning to overcome his trial with injuries and consistently take the field for his side this winter.
He was one of England’s positives in the 4-0 Ashes drubbing Down Under, bagging 17 wickets at 26.64 in his four Test outings. He was also in healthy rhythm during the tour of Caribbean in March.
