Mark Wood to miss England’s Test summer after knee surgery

Fast bowler Mark Wood is likely to miss all of England’s home Tests this summer after undergoing surgery on a left knee injury.

The 35-year-old has been ruled out until the end of July, roughly around when the five-Test series against India is due to finish.

It means the next time Wood could play Test cricket is on the Ashes tour of Australia, which starts in November.

An England statement said Wood had been “managing an ongoing issue” for more than a year, but he “experienced increased stiffness and discomfort” during the Champions Trophy.

The Durham man struggled with the injury during the defeat by Afghanistan, then missed the final game against South Africa.

The Champions Trophy and tour of India that preceded it was Wood’s return from an elbow injury that had kept him out of action since August of last year.

“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 team-mates 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.”