England fast bowler Mark Wood will miss the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand after medical scans confirmed a bone stress injury to his right elbow.
"During what I thought was routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow," Wood said in an Instagram post.
"After the minor groin injury at Emirates Old Trafford, me and the medical team felt it was a good time to get my elbow looked at as it was a bit irritated. I’d put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through," he said.
I’m especially surprised because I’ve been playing Test cricket and kept my speeds up," Wood said.
Wood had experienced increasing stiffness and discomfort to his elbow during the West Indies Test series in July this year. However, he participated in first Test against Sri Lanka last month and picked up two wickets. He was then rested from the playing XIs from the second and third Tests. He was replaced by Olly Stone in the second Test and uncapped pacer Josh Hull made his debut in the third Test, an ICC report said.
The ECB medical team will continue to work closely with Wood to ensure his management and rehabilitation.
The injury means that 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.
"I will miss the rest of the year needing time to rest and build up, fully expecting to be back and firing in early 2025," Wood continued on Instagram.
"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," he added.(UNI)<>