England suffer ANOTHER injury setback with Mark Wood to miss the fourth day’s play against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford – after captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the entire Test series
- Mark Wood was injured while bowling for England on Friday
- England have confirmed he will not return to the field on Saturday
- England are already without captain Ben Stokes due to a hamstring injury
England are dealing with another injury problem ahead of Day 4 of their first Test match against Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Mark Wood retired midway through his match on Friday evening and immediately left the field to seek treatment.
England have now confirmed that he will not take to the field on Saturday following his setback.
A statement was posted on England Cricket’s official X account on Saturday morning: ‘Mark Wood has sustained a right thigh muscle injury.
‘He will not appear on the field again today and will be further assessed by the England medical team.’
Mark Wood (pictured) will not play for England on Saturday due to a right leg injury
England are already without Ben Stokes after he suffered a hamstring injury
Zak Crawley (pictured) will also not play against Sri Lanka due to a broken finger
England started the three-match series without two key players, including captain Ben Stokes.
The 33-year-old all-rounder was ruled out of the entire series after suffering a hamstring injury during a match at The Hundred earlier this month.
Batsman Zak Crawley is also unavailable for selection after sustaining a broken finger while fielding for England against West Indies in their previous Test series.
Wood’s injury is a huge loss for England after a good summer on the ball, but the side are still in a strong position to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Sri Lanka ended the third day on 204-6, with a lead of just 82 runs and only four wickets remaining.
England will be hoping to take the last four wickets quickly and complete a modest total for victory, but they will have to do without Wood’s services.
Wood now faces a race against time to play in the remainder of the series, with the next two games coming in quick succession.
The second Test at Lord’s begins on Thursday, before the final Test of the summer takes place at the Oval from September 6-10.