Ahead of their crunch 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal tie against India, England are faced with fitness issues to their two star players. Star pacer Mark Wood withdrew from the optional practice due to general body stiffness while taking a gentle jog on Tuesday (November 08), according to 'Sky Sports'.
Wood has taken nine wickets in four matches in the ongoing tournament 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.
On November 08 (Wednesday), a day before the high-voltage knockout game, the right-arm pacer was seen bowling in the nets. However, Wood didn't look in great shape and as reported by Aaj Tak's Managing Editor, Vikrant Gupta, who is in Australia covering the ongoing World Cup, the right-arm pacer 'didn't look comfortable' while bowling in the nets.
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Wood is not the only English cricket struggling for fitness. Middle-order batter Dawid Malan is on the injury-doubtful list as well 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.
On Wednesday, Malan was seen carrying out flexibility exercises as the left-handed batter battles against time to be fit for the semi-final.
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England and India will cross swords in the second semi-final on November 10 (Thursday) at the Adelaide Oval. The Three Lions and the Men in Blue are both looking to win the tournament for the second time as the former lifted the trophy in 2010 while India were crowned the inaugural champions.
