ECB announces Mark Wood replacement for remainder Sri Lanka Test series

Injured English fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the ongoing home Test series against Sri Lanka. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced his replacement for the remainder of the ongoing home Test series. 

England are currently busy in the three-match home Test series against Sri Lanka, which is part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. England won the Test series opener at Manchester by five wickets after successfully chasing the fourth innings target of 205 runs on the fourth day.

Josh Hull replaced injured Mark Wood

The 34-year-old English fast bowler Mark Wood was unavailable for the fourth day of the Manchester Test due to a right thigh muscle strain. On the third day evening of the Manchester Test, Wood was injured during the third ball of his 11th over of the innings. Later, Joe Root completed that over. In the Manchester Test, Wood picked up one wicket in each innings. 

The ECB has named Josh Hull as the replacement for Mark Wood for the next two Tests against Sri Lanka. It is the first national team call-up for the 20-year-old 6ft 7in Leicestershire left-arm pacer. Lord’s will host the England vs Sri Lanka second Test, starting on 29th August. Meanwhile, The Oval will host the last fixture of the Test series, starting on 6th September. 

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Josh Hull has impressed in his early domestic career

After making his first-class cricket debut in April 2023, Hull has taken 15 wickets in nine first-class matches. The young left-arm pacer has also picked up 17 and 24 wickets in nine List A games and 21 T20s, respectively. 

While Leicestershire won the One-Day Cup 2023 title, Josh Hull played an important role with the ball. The tall left-arm pacer bagged 17 wickets in nine games in that tournament. 

Hull also participated for the England Lions during the recent four-day tour match for Sri Lanka. In that game, Hull picked up five wickets (3/30 and 2/44) while the England Lions won by seven wickets.