England star fast bowler Mark Wood has been confirmed to be ruled out for the remainder of the year after suffering an injury to his right elbow.
Wood who featured in the first Test of England's series at home against Sri Lanka, where he picked up two wickets, was ruled out from the series.
In the first Test at Manchester, he had complained about a thigh injury but after a medical check-up, it was revealed that he also had suffered a bone-stress injury to his right elbow.
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Mark Wood Injury update: When will the England pacer return after elbow injury?
According to an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement, Wood has been ruled out of the rest of the year, adding that he will continue to be examined by the medical staff and also stated the expect return date of the 34-year-old pacer.
"Medical scans have confirmed that [Mark] Wood has a bone stress injury of the right elbow injury. He had noticed increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during the Test series against the West Indies earlier in the summer."
"He played a full part in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford managing the discomfort whilst he was bowling. During that Test match, Wood also sustained a right thigh injury, which is being managed and from which he is recovering well."
"Wood will continue to work closely with the ECB medical team on his management and rehabilitation."
With Wood being ruled out of the year, he will miss the Test series against Pakistan in October and against New Zealand in December.
The ECB stated that the management expect Wood to potentially return back to action early next year, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in February.
"He aims to return to full fitness by early 2025, in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled to begin in February 2025," the statement read.
What did Mark Wood say about his elbow injury?
In an Instagram post, Wood revealed that he had only learnt about the elbow injury during a routine scan.
"During what I thought was routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I've got some bone stress in my right elbow."
"After the minor groin injury at Emirates Old Trafford, me and the medical team felt it was a good time to get my elbow looked at as it was a bit irritated. I'd put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through."
"I'm especially surprised because I've been playing Test cricket and kept my speeds up. I work incredibly hard on my fitness, putting in extra work with coaches and physios making this even more disappointing. However, I guess this is, 'part of being a fast bowler', like Stokesy says."
Being a fast bowler, Wood has suffered several injuries throughout his career and this time is no different, as he has set his expected return date to early 2025.
"I will miss the rest of the year needing time to rest and build up, fully expecting to be back and firing in early 2025. I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling."
In Wood's absence, Olly Stone featured in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's while Josh Hull made his debut in third Test at The Oval.
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