Veteran England fast bowler Mark Wood is nearing a return to the national cricket team after a period of recovery from knee surgery that has kept him off the field for four months. The fast bowler has resumed his training amidst the ongoing Test series between England and India and has been observed bowling in the nets, although not yet at his full pace. Wood had been sidelined for four months following his knee surgery, which was necessitated by an injury he sustained during England's match against Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. This injury was expected to keep him out for the entirety of the home Test summer.
'Mark Wood' boost for England
However, the Durham speedster is now making progress in his recovery and is optimistic about potentially returning to play in the latter stages of the current Test series against India. Mark Wood was seen bowling in the England nets on Wednesday, as reported by The Telegraph's reporter, though he was not bowling at full intensity. Wood is certain to miss at least the first three Test matches, and a decision regarding his comeback to the team is likely to be made closer to the fourth or fifth Test, contingent on his continued recovery.
England's pace bowling department has encountered several challenges recently. While Jofra Archer, who was initially unavailable, is potentially set to return for the upcoming Lord's Test, Gus Atkinson, who was previously sidelined due to injury, has also rejoined the squad in preparation for the third match. Adding to their concerns, Brydon Carse is reportedly facing a toe issue that might necessitate rest, further impacting England's fast-bowling options.
Mark Wood's Test record shows that he has taken 119 wickets in 37 matches with an average of 30.42, including five five-wicket hauls. However, his performance against India has been less impressive, with only nine wickets in four Tests at a higher average of 50.33. Interestingly, five of these wickets were taken in a single match at Lord's in 2021, which remains his only Test appearance against India on English soil.
Meanwhile, England has announced a 16-member squad for the Lord's Test against India, scheduled from July 10th to 14.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
The ongoing five-match Test series between England and India is currently locked at 1-1 after the first two matches. England notched a victory at Headingley in Leeds by successfully chasing down a target of 371 runs in the fourth innings, winning by five wickets. However, India retaliated strongly in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, registering a historic 336-run win against England at Edgbaston, which was their first-ever Test win at the venue.