North India Statesman
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London, September 7 (HS). England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the game for the rest of the year due to a bone stress injury in his right elbow, due to which he will go on the tour of Pakistan and New Zealand.
According to a release from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the 34-year-old had felt increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during the two-match Test series against the West Indies. He also played in the first Test against Sri Lanka in which he suffered a right thigh injury. The ECB said Wood is recovering well from the thigh injury, which initially ruled him out for the rest of the summer.
In an Instagram post, Wood revealed that he went for a routine elbow scan when the severity of the injury was discovered.
Wood said in his post, “During a routine check-up of an already troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn that I have some bone stress in my right elbow. After a minor groin injury at Emirates Old Trafford, myself and the medical team felt it was the right time to get my elbow checked as it was a bit inflamed. I treat it as a normal problem every fast bowler faces and I was playing through it. I am particularly surprised as I have been playing Test cricket and have maintained my pace.”
“I work incredibly hard on my fitness, put in extra work with the coach and physio which makes it even more frustrating. However, I guess it's all part of being a fast bowler,” he added.
Wood said he was confident of returning to the field early next year.
He said, “I will miss the rest of the year, as I need time to rest and prepare myself, I sincerely hope that I will come back in early 2025 and perform well. I have been on this path before and will work hard behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling than this.”
In Wood's absence, Olly Stone played for England in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's while 20-year-old left-arm pacer Josh Hull made his debut in the Oval Test. England will tour Pakistan for three Tests in October and New Zealand for three more Tests in December.
