Mark Wood ruled out of Pak, NZ Tests

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand after medical scans revealed a bone stress injury in his right elbow.

The 34-year-old pacer shared the news in an Instagram post, expressing his surprise at the diagnosis.

"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," Wood said in an Instagram post.

"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."

The right-arm pacer had been experiencing discomfort in his elbow since the West Indies Test series earlier this year. Despite the stiffness, he participated in the first Test against Sri Lanka last month, taking two wickets.

He was rested for the remainder of the series, replaced by Olly Stone in the second Test, while uncapped pacer Josh Hull made his debut in the third.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that their medical team will closely monitor Wood's rehabilitation. Unfortunately, the injury will keep him sidelined for the remainder of 2024, ruling him out of England's tour of Pakistan in October and the New Zealand tour in December.

Wood remains hopeful of a return to action in early 2025, targeting the white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

"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," Wood continued on Instagram.

"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."

Pakistan and England are set to clash in a three-match Test series this October, followed by England taking on New Zealand in a three-match Test series scheduled for November-December.

Anderson to continue

Former England fast bowler James Anderson will remain as the bowling consultant for the England men's team until their tours of Pakistan and New Zealand later this year.

Anderson, the only fast bowler to have taken over 700 Test wickets, retired from international cricket earlier this year following the Lord's Test against the West Indies.

Immediately after his retirement, Anderson transitioned into a coaching role, joining the England squad as a bowling mentor. Reflecting on his new position, the legendary pacer admitted he is still adjusting to the challenges of coaching and is unsure about his long-term future in this role.

Speaking ahead of England's third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval in London, Anderson said, "At the minute, I'm due to go to Pakistan and New Zealand in the winter. Then nothing concrete after that," Anderson said.

"I'm very new to this, I'm still learning as we go. It's partly me trying to figure out if this is where I want to go with the next stage of my career and also for them to figure out if I'm any good at it as well," he added.

Since Anderson's retirement, rising stars like Josh Hull and Gus Atkinson have stepped into the fast bowling lineup. Atkinson made his debut in Anderson's farewell Test and has already claimed three five-wicket hauls, all at Lord's.

Meanwhile, Hull made his debut in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, joining an attack that also features Atkinson, Olly Stone, and the experienced Chris Woakes.

Another setback for the Three Lions as right-arm pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand due to injury.

Pakistan and England are set to clash in a three-match Test series this October, followed by England taking on New Zealand in a three-match Test series scheduled for November-December.