LONDON — England’s star fast bowler, Mark Wood, is likely to miss the much-anticipated test series against India this summer following knee surgery. Initially injured during England’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan last month, the 35-year-old Wood’s condition worsened during a match against Afghanistan.
After returning from an elbow stress injury, Wood experienced pain during the game but continued to bowl despite visible distress. The England and Wales Cricket Board revealed that an injury had been troubling Wood for more than a year, and the latest operation—his eighth—exposed severe ligament damage in his left knee. With an expected recovery period of at least four months, his future participation in upcoming matches is uncertain.
Although Wood hopes for a return by late July, the fifth and final test against India, set to begin on July 31 at the Oval, leaves little room for a comeback. Additionally, his injury rules him out of six white-ball games against the West Indies and a standalone test match against Zimbabwe scheduled for May.
Expressing his disappointment, Wood stated, “I’m gutted to be out for so long after representing England across all formats since the start of last year. 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.”
Wood’s capability to deliver express speeds reaching up to 97 mph (157 kph) makes him an invaluable asset for England. The team is keen on harnessing his skills as they prepare to take on a formidable Indian side, revamp their limited-overs squad, and pursue reclaiming the Ashes in Australia later this year.
