Mark Wood is set to miss the entire home summer, with England deciding to take an ultra-cautious route with the fast bowler they deem central to their Ashes hopes this winter.
Wood, 35, underwent knee surgery in March and was initially targeting a return for the fifth Test against India in late July. Despite bowling in the intervals during that series, this target was then pushed back to a possible late season outing for Durham in the County Championship.
But barring a late change of heart, Wood will now miss Durham’s remaining two County Championship fixtures against Worcestershire and Yorkshire and make his comeback overseas. The two options being discussed are the white-ball tour of New Zealand in October or an early flight to Australia with the England Lions.
While Wood reported some initial swelling to his knee at the start of his return to bowling – and an approach to play for Trent Rockets in the Hundred was knocked back – England privately insist there is no need for any extra concern and he is expected to be ready to face Australia.
Confidence in part comes from the 2023 Ashes, when Wood changed the entire mood of the series with a breathtaking spell at Headingley in his first competitive outing for three months. Much like Jofra Archer, Wood is viewed as a bowler who can be primed for Test cricket through training.
Nevertheless, it leaves both Ashes adversaries sweating on seamers who could help decide the fate of the series. Pat Cummins is facing a race against time to be fit for the first Test in Perth that starts on 21 November after the detection of a possible stress reaction in the Australian captain’s lower back.
England’s other injury concern is Ben Stokes, who missed the fifth India Test with a shoulder issue. The all-rounder is now back in training with Durham, albeit with a return to bowling still a way off. As with Cummins, the question is set to be whether he can play all five Ashes Tests.
Ryan Campbell, Durham’s head coach, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The batting side of things is going very well but the bowling will take a lot longer. He is being treated very steadily.
“ The way he goes about his work to recover blows me away. It’s why he is one of the greatest all-rounders that’s ever been and it’s why he will be ready for Australia. He will leave no stone unturned. But can he play five Tests in a row? He will try, but I am not 100% sure.”
On Wood, Campbell added: “If [a County Championship return] happens, it’s not only great for Durham but also for England. He is extremely close to playing.”
