Mark Wood's sore side will be the most pressing of a raft of injury concerns when England’s selectors meet this week to pick their squad for the next task at hand: next Wednesday’s four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s, then the Ashes that follow.
Wood left the field after completing his 10-over spell in yesterday’s World Cup Final, then had to bat at No11, where he was run out without facing a ball.
The Durham fast bowler will today be assessed but it appears most unlikely that he will face Ireland. The selectors meet on Wednesday, when England Lions’ game against an Australia XI at Canterbury ends.
Jofra Archer, meanwhile, is unlikely to play again until the Second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
The hero of England’s Super Over win has required injections to a side injury throughout the tournament, which has seen the 24-year-old play more cricket than ever before in his career. Chris Woakes has a groin injury.
Add them to James Anderson, who has a hamstring injury, and England’s deep bowling stocks are being tested. Sam Curran is likely to join Stuart Broad in the attack to face Ireland, while there could be debuts for the likes of Jamie Porter and Jamie Overton.
Eoin Morgan believes the feelgood factor brought by the World Cup win will carry over into the Test summer, but England’s short-form captain warned that the team’s many multi-format stars must be managed well.
Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow will be joined by Jason Roy in the Test team when it is named this week as the success of the 50-over team influences the longer format further.
“I think it will give them a lot of confidence,” said Morgan. “I think it gives them a bit of leeway to get some time off as well, which is quite nice. Everybody needs it.
“This tournament has taken a lot out of us as a team, both mentally and physically, and [it is possible] energy levels will drop quite quickly unless the guys are looked after.”
