Mark Wood targets 5th ENG-IND Test for potential return after injury: ‘I’m not too far away, can aim for last game of series’

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FILE: England's Mark Wood in action. (REUTERS)

England’s premier fast bowler Mark Wood is targeting the last Test between England and India for his potential return from injury. Wood was managing an ongoing issue with his knee for over a year. The Durham pacer left the field due to an injury during the side’s ICC Champions Trophy Group B match against Afghanistan in Lahore in March, forcing him to leave the field after completing his spell.

Wood had then been ruled out of all cricket after scans and subsequent surgery, which confirmed ligament damage to his left knee.

“(The knee is) not bad. Slow progress. It’s not gone as quick as I’d have wanted but this last little bit, I’m starting to kick on and I’m bowling again,” said Wood to Sky Sports on the progress he made after his knee injury.

“I’m not too far away now; maybe the last game of the series I can try and aim for. That’s at the forefront of my mind,” he added.

The Shubman Gill-led India are on a five-match Test tour of England, which started on Thursday with the Headingley Test. The fifth and last Test will be played at The Oval in London from July 31 to August 4.

After being ruled out for four months, Wood had said after his surgery, “I’m gutted to be out for so long after representing England across all formats since the start of last year,” said Wood. “But I’ve got every confidence that I’ll be back firing on all cylinders now that I’ve been able to sort my knee out.

“I want to thank the surgeon, the doctors, staff, my England teammates and coaches for their support – and, of course, our fans. I can’t wait to get back and contribute to what is going to be a huge 2025 for us as a team,” he had said.

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Wood is among many English quicks currently out through injury, with Jofra Archer, Olly Stone and Gus Atkinson all currently unavailable. Archer, however, can make his international return for the second India-England Test.