Ahead of their crunch 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal tie against India, England are faced with yet another fitness issue after star pacer Mark Wood withdrew from the optional practice due to general body stiffness while taking a gentle jog on Tuesday, according to 'Sky Sports'.
In the ongoing tournament, Wood has taken nine wickets in four matches so far. Among the available options of players to replace him are either Tymal Mills or Chis Jordan. The 32-year-old pacer has recently returned from an elbow injury that kept him out for most of the summer.
He joins middle-order batter Dawid Malan on the injury-doubtful list after he picked up an injury during England's final Super 12 match against Sri Lanka, which the ODI World Champions won by four wickets. The former world No. 1 T20I batter hobbled off the field during the Sri Lankan innings and did not return to bat in England's run chase.
Vice-captain Moeen Ali said Malan's injury doesn't look good.
"He is a big player and has been for a number of years," Ali told the 'BBC'. "He has been one of our best players. I don't know but it (Malan's injury) doesn't look great."
England, who finished second in their Super 12 Group 1, will clash with Group 1 toppers India on Thursday. India secured the top spot in Group 2 on Sunday by beating Zimbabwe. They have arguably been the most impressive side in the tournament but were beaten by five wickets by South Africa during the group stage.
Phil Salt, the only spare batter in the squad, is the likely replacement if Malan does not take the field. Salt has played 11 T20s for England and hit 88 not out - his highest score - against Pakistan in September.
England's squad for T20 WC 2022: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Tymal Mills, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Alex Hales. Standby Players: Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson.
(With PTI inputs)