Mark Wood in doubt for the first Test after World Cup hip injury
Fast bowler currently in UK, and unlikely to be risked with series beginning on December 1
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Wood has been in the UK recovering from a hip injury sustained during England’s successful T20 World Cup campaign and will join up with the Test squad in Rawalpindi this weekend. Though the injury ruled the 32-year-old out of the semi-final against India, he was considered fit to play in the final against Pakistan before it was decided not to take a risk with selection for such a high-profile match.
His rehabilitation is said to be tracking well. However, with just three training days ahead of the start of the series on December 1. It seems unlikely he will be able to accrue the necessary number of overs at a high enough intensity to prepare himself for the rigors of a Test match. Wood returned to international duty in Pakistan during the T20Is after missing the 2022 summer. Showed how crucial his pace was as a point of difference. With six wickets at 7.33 in his two appearances in the seven-match series.
England fast bowler Mark Wood is a doubt for the first Test against Pakistan.
He carried that form into the World Cup, with nine wickets at 12.00 in four matches. Bowling the fastest spells and even walking away with the fastest delivery of the tournament. A full delivery at 154.74kph to New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips. Wood’s absence from the Abu Dhabi leg of this winter, where the squad has been warming up alongside England Lions ahead of their first Test series in Pakistan for 17 years, is unrelated to his injury.
Both he and Yorkshire batter Harry Brook were given two weeks at home after the World Cup to rest as they were the only two players in all three first-team squads (Pakistan T20Is, World Cup, Pakistan Tests) before the end of the year. Speaking on Friday after the final day of England’s warm-up match, which was swapped for a two-hour training session. England captain Ben Stokes was optimistic on Wood’s fitness and said there will be no cover drafted into the squad.
“No, we’re sticking with it,” said Stokes. “We’re not going to call up another seamer to this group. “We took the decision to let Brooky and Woody spend that time at home, obviously being at Pakistan and the World Cup,” Stokes said. “We felt a week at home for them would be more beneficial, just to get their batteries recharged. Obviously with Woody’s injury, getting home and being around his wife. Child would be better than being out here and getting all his rehab, which he could do at home.
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