Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) overseas pacer Mark Wood is likely to miss the final stages of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the English pacer will fly back to England for the birth of his second child, which is expected to be in late May. It will be a huge blow for LSG as the right-arm express pacer was on fire to begin the season and bagged five wickets during the franchise's first game of the campaign.
Wood has been sidelined for the last two LSG matches with illness. The 33-year-old has 11 wickets in four matches. The right-arm pacer has accounted for one five-wicket haul as well.
Wood is expected to be a part of the LSG squad for the next couple of matches. According to the report, the Englishman will fly home in the coming weeks and once he leaves India, he is unlikely to return even if LSG makes a deep run in the playoffs.
With Wood sidelined with illness, Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was included in LSG's playing XI. The right-arm speedster performed well in both games and came up with stifling spells in back-to-back matches. It would be interesting to see LSG's decision when Wood recovers from his illness and is available for selection. It will be a coin flip between Wood and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Meanwhile, LSG choked under pressure in their previous game against the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) and lost a match in which they dominated for the better part.
KL Rahul's men began their season on the right note as they trounced Delhi Capitals but lost their second game against the Super Kings. They won two consecutive matches from thereon before facing a defeat against Punjab Kings. LSG then went on to win and lose another game. The Super Giants have eight points in seven matches with an NRR of 0.547.
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