English fast bowler Mark Wood has been told not to use his right arm for any tasks, even lifting his children, because of a bone stress injury in his right elbow. The injury will keep the 34-year-old out of action for the rest of 2024, but he hopes to return early next year. “I’ve been told not to pick up my kids with my right arm. I have to do everything with my left,” Wood said in an interview with BBC’s Test Match Special.
The injury was discovered during England’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka, where Wood first had a groin problem. While getting scans for the groin injury, doctors found issues with his elbow, which means he won’t be able to play in England’s upcoming winter Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.
Wood, who had elbow surgery in 2022, has been a key player in England’s bowling lineup. He is famous for his fast bowling, which is very important for England’s chances of winning the Ashes in Australia in 2025-26.
Talking about his strange injury, Wood said: “It was a weird injury. I had a small groin problem and went for a scan with a stiff elbow, which is normal for a fast bowler. I thought I might need an injection, which would help me recover from the groin injury.”
However, the scan showed something much more worrying. “The doctor was concerned about what they saw in the scan. They said I have some bone stress in my elbow. I must have been playing with it. They were worried it could be a stress fracture, but I need to see a specialist in a few days to find out for sure,” Wood added.
This injury comes at a difficult time for Wood, whose career has been marked by several injuries. Despite this, he remains one of England’s most powerful players in Test cricket. His absence is a big setback for the team as they prepare for important international matches in 2024 and beyond.
With Wood out, the focus will be on his recovery and getting back to full fitness. England’s medical team will closely watch his progress, hoping that the fast bowler can return in time for crucial matches, including their 2025-26 Ashes series.
Right now, Wood is concentrating on resting and getting better, but he’s doing it in a different way. He said, “I can’t really do anything with my right side,” as he manages his daily activities using only his left hand while waiting for more clear information about his elbow.
