England's Mark Wood ruled out for remainder of 2024 with bone-stress injury

England team has been hit by a major setback after speedster Mark Wood has been ruled out for the remainder of 2024 due to a bone-stress injury in his right elbow. This development will see Wood miss crucial upcoming Test tours to Pakistan as well as to New Zealand.

The 34-year-old pacer's absence was initially attributed to a precautionary measure following a Right Thigh strain during the first Test of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford. However, a routine elbow scan revealed a more serious underlying issue, catching Wood off guard.

"During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I've got some bone stress in my right elbow. 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," Wood wrote on Instagram.

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See you for some rockets in 2025: Mark Wood

This setback comes at a time when Wood was at his peak, consistently clocking speeds over 95 mph. His recent performances, including a brilliant spell at Trent Bridge where he reached 97.1 mph, had even prompted captain Ben Stokes to predict Wood breaking the 100 mph barrier in the future. Wood's absence will be strongly felt by the Three Lions, especially considering his recent form. His 5 for 40 at Edgbaston, was his first five-wicket haul in a home Test.

"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. 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. See you for some rockets in 2025," he added.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) medical team will work closely with the Northumberland-born during his rehabilitation. The aim is to have him fully fit for England's white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled for early 2025. In Wood's absence, England has already begun exploring alternatives, recalling Olly Stone and handing a debut to young left-arm seamer Josh Hull.