England fast bowler Mark Wood has been instructed to stop using his right arm, even for lifting his children, due to an elbow injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of 2024.
The 34-year-old has been diagnosed with "bone stress" in his right elbow and is aiming to return to action for England next year. However, he will undergo further tests in the coming days to fully assess the severity of the injury.
Wood explained that he has been advised to avoid any strain on his right side. “I’ve been told not to pick up my kids with my right arm, so I have to rely on my left for everything now,” he shared.
The injury surfaced during the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, where Wood was initially sidelined due to a groin issue. However, scans revealed the elbow problem, ruling him out of England’s upcoming Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand this winter.
Wood, who had previously undergone elbow surgery in 2022, is a crucial part of England’s bowling unit, known for his blistering pace. His return will be key to England's ambitions of reclaiming the Ashes in Australia in 2025-26.
Describing the injury, Wood said it was unexpected: "I had a bit of a groin strain and went for a scan, where I also had a stiff elbow—something fast bowlers often deal with. I thought I might need an injection, which would line up well with the recovery time for my groin injury."
However, the scan results on his elbow raised concerns for the medical team, prompting further investigation. “The doctors found bone stress in my elbow,” Wood explained. "Apparently, I had been playing with it without realising. They were concerned it might lead to a stress fracture, and I’ll need to see a specialist in a few days to confirm that."
With Wood sidelined for the foreseeable future, his potential return will be closely monitored as England continues its preparations for the upcoming cricketing challenges.