PAK vs ENG: Head coach Brendon McCullum confirms Mark Wood will miss first Test in Rawalpindi

England pacer Mark Wood will not be available for the first Test against Pakistan in the historic three-match series as he is yet to completely recover from the hip injury. The 32-year-old picked up the injury during the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stages against Sri Lanka and missed the action in the semi-final and the final of the tournament. He was expected to arrive this weekend from UAE which hasn’t been the case. 

According to Cricbuzz, head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Wood will not be part of the playing XI for the Rawalpindi Test as he is still undergoing his rehabilitation process. The speedster, however, is likely to be available for the second and third Tests which is positive signs for the England side. Wood has taken 82 wickets in 26 Tests at an average of 31.9 and he is often the enforcer in the bowling line-up.  

England still has the veteran James Anderson in the squad to lead the fast bowling attack while the other options are Jamie Overton and Ollie Robinson along with the skipper Ben Stokes who can be quite lethal with his fast bowling. Given the spinning conditions in Pakistan, England are likely to opt for two spinners in their playing XI and it will be interesting to see their combination for the first Test.

Meanwhile, the series will mark the first visit to Pakistan for England in 17 years' time with the previous tour being held in 2005. The hype around the series has been quite high so far and the first Test is scheduled to start on December 1 at the Rawalpindi Stadium

England Test squad for the three-match Test series

England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Rehan Ahmed