MARK WOOD
Knee ligament damage verified when Mark Wood experienced fresh difficulty with England during defeat to Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy; 35-year-old eyeing return to playing at the end of July, which is when England’s home Test series against India is set to finish.
Fast bowler Mark Wood is expected to miss England’s summer Test matches after undergoing knee surgery and being sidelined for four months.
After “feeling significant stiffness and discomfort,” Wood departed the field during England’s ICC Champions Trophy group-stage loss to Afghanistan in Lahore last month, according to the ECB, which stated that “he has been managing an ongoing condition with his knee for over a year.”
Wood, 35, will now miss the majority, if not all, of England’s home cricketing season after surgery to repair ligament damage to his left knee, which was confirmed by scans this week.
Although he hopes to be fully recovered by the end of July, it does not seem likely that he will be ready for the June 20–August 4 five-Test series against India.
“After playing for England in every format since the beginning of last year, I am devastated to be out for so long,” Wood said.
However, now that I have managed to get my knee fixed, I am confident that I will be back to my best.
“I want to express my gratitude to our supporters as well as the surgeon, the doctors, the staff, my England teammates, and the coaches for their support. I am eager to return and help create what will be an incredible 2025 for our team.”
Wood had just returned to action for England following a lengthy absence due to a stress injury in his elbow. However, he struggled with fitness against Afghanistan in their second Champions Tmatch, which they lost by eight wickets in a dreadful tournament that saw the team captained by Jos Buttler lose in the group stage.
Despite his obvious discomfort, Wood returned to the field to bowl another spell following treatment, raising suspicions that he had made the problem worse. Wood will now be closely collaborating with the ECB medical team to recuperate over the next few months after undergoing surgery for his left knee injury.
Following a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May, England will play the West Indies in a multi-format ODI and T20 series through the beginning of June. After that, England hosts India for a five-match Test match.
In November, Brendon McCullum’s Test team will travel to Australia for the Ashes.
When are the England men’s side playing this summer?
The England matches Wood is set to miss
One-off Test at home to Zimbabwe (May)
Thursday May 22-Sunday May 25 (11am) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
One-day international series at home to West Indies (May-June)
First ODI: Thursday May 29 (1pm) – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Second ODI: Sunday June 1 (11am) – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Third ODI: Tuesday June 3 (1pm) – The Kia Oval, London
T20 international series at home to West Indies (June)
First T20: Friday June 6 (6.30pm) – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Second T20: Sunday June 8 (2.30pm) – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
Third T20: Tuesday June 10 (6.30pm) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Test series at home to India (June-July)
First Test: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 (11am) – Headingley, Leeds
Second Test: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 (11am) – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Third Test: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 (11am) – Lord’s, London
Fourth Test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 7 (11am) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Fifth Test: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 (11am) – The Kia Oval, London
