England pacer Mark Wood to miss Pakistan and New Zealand Test series due to elbow injury

England's quickest bowler, noticed increasing stiffness in his elbow during the test series against the West Indies in July

Mark Wood's average speed in the opening over of the Test was 154.4 kmph. (AP Photo)

England fast bowler Mark Wood will miss the rest of 2024 because of a right elbow injury, ruling him out of the test tours of Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December.

Wood, England’s quickest bowler, noticed increasing stiffness in his elbow during the test series against the West Indies in July and played the first test against Sri Lanka in Manchester last month managing the discomfort whilst he was bowling.

During that match at Old Trafford, Wood also sustained a right thigh injury and that was given as the reason why he hasn’t featured in the second and third tests against Sri Lanka.

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However, scans have confirmed Wood has a bone stress injury in his elbow, England said on Friday, and he will continue to work closely with the ECB medical team on his management and rehabilitation.

England said Wood is aiming to return to full fitness by early 2025, in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan that’s scheduled to begin in February.

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