Mark Wood sidelined for four months following knee surgery, missing Tests against India
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Mark Wood, the England fast bowler, is set to miss four months of cricket after undergoing surgery on his left knee due to ligament damage. This absence will likely exclude him from the upcoming Test series against India and the start of the English summer.
Key Takeaways
- Mark Wood ruled out for four months.
- Underwent left knee surgery for ligament damage.
- Will miss the Test series against India.
- Targeting a return to full fitness by late July 2025.
- Previously operated on the same knee in 2019.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) Mark Wood, the fiery England bowler, has been ruled out of all cricket activities for four months following left knee surgery. This procedure was necessitated by a ligament injury sustained during the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The injury is expected to prevent Wood from participating in England's five-match Test series against India, scheduled from June 20 to August 4. Wood, aged 35, hurt his left knee during the fourth over of England's loss to Afghanistan and had to leave the field temporarily.
Despite returning to bowl four additional overs, resulting in figures of 0-50, he was visibly in pain, limping throughout his second spell. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that scans revealed ligament damage, prompting the surgery on Wednesday.
The ECB noted that Wood has been dealing with a persistent knee issue for over a year, but experienced increased stiffness and pain during the match against Afghanistan. He had previously undergone surgery on the same knee in 2019.
“I’m devastated to be out for such an extended period after representing England in all formats since last year. However, I am confident of returning strong now that my knee issue has been addressed,” Wood stated.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the surgeon, medical staff, my England teammates, coaches, and of course, our fans. I look forward to returning and contributing to what promises to be an exciting 2025 for our team,” he added in an ECB announcement.
The ECB further indicated that Wood will collaborate closely with the medical team for his rehabilitation and recovery. Consequently, he will miss the initial part of the English summer, aiming for full fitness by July 2025.
The final match of England’s five-Test series against India is set to commence on July 31 at The Oval in London, which suggests that Wood may miss a pivotal role for the Ben Stokes-led squad due to his exceptional pace. It will be intriguing to see if Wood can join England for their five-match Ashes tour in Australia later this year.
