Mark Wood, England’s pace spearhead, faces an anxious wait to determine the severity of his right elbow injury. The 33-year-old was ruled out for the remainder of 2023 after a scan revealed a “bone-stress injury.”
Wood’s injury woes began during the first Test against Sri Lanka in June, when he suffered a right groin strain. A subsequent routine check of his elbow, which had been stiff during the West Indies series, led to the discovery of the bone stress.
The ECB medical team is hopeful that surgery can be avoided, but this week’s appointment will provide a definitive diagnosis. An initial scan three weeks ago showed no signs of a fracture, but further examination is required to confirm this.
In 2022, Wood underwent two surgeries on his right elbow to remove bone fragments and cut a trapped ligament. He returned to action in impressive form, bowling at speeds in excess of 95 mph. However, the recurrence of elbow pain has raised concerns about his long-term fitness.
Wood admitted that the injury came as a surprise, as he had been managing the stiffness without any major discomfort. “I had a bit of a groin tweak and went for a scan with a stiff elbow which is not uncommon for a fast bowler,” he said. “I was thinking I might need an injection, but the doctor looked concerned and said I better get this checked a little more.”
The injury has forced Wood to make adjustments to his daily routine, including limiting the use of his right arm. “I have been told to stop picking my kids up with my right arm,” he revealed. “I have to do everything with my left. I am hoping I am going to come back like [Rafael] Nadal with one big left arm and a skinny right arm.”
The outcome of this week’s appointment will determine Wood’s availability for England’s upcoming Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. His absence would be a significant blow to the team, as he has been one of their most consistent performers in recent years.
