England speedster Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a right thigh muscle strain sustained during the first Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Mark Wood sustains injury on Day 3 of the first Test
Wood limped off the field late in the third day of the match after delivering an impressive performance, and subsequent scans confirmed the severity of his injury.
An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement confirmed Wood’s injury, stating that he would not participate in the rest of the three-match Test series. The second Test is scheduled to begin on August 29 at Lord’s, where England will look to continue their momentum after a hard-fought victory in the opening match.
Wood’s injury is a significant blow for England, as he has been a key player in their bowling attack. His absence will require the team to adjust their strategy as they prepare for the challenges posed by the Sri Lankan side in the upcoming match.
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Mark Wood’s replacement for the remaining Test series
In his absence, Leicestershire’s Josh Hull has been called up to replace Wood for the upcoming second Test. This marks Hull’s first call-up to the England Test squad, highlighting his potential as a promising addition to the team.
Hull, the towering 6ft 7in pacer, has been a standout performer for Leicestershire, contributing significantly to their One-Day Cup triumph in 2023. Recently, he made a promising debut for the England Lions against Sri Lanka, claiming a five-wicket haul to secure a seven-wicket victory.
England currently leads the Test series 1-0 and will look to secure another victory to climb higher in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
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