Mark Wood's injury: What it means for England’s chances in Pakistan?

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been sidelined for the remainder of the year due to an elbow injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Friday.

Wood, who injured his right thigh during the first Test against Sri Lanka last month, underwent a medical check-up and discovered stress damage to his elbow.

Wood, a key figure in England’s pace attack with 119 wickets from 37 Tests, will miss upcoming Test tours to Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December, as confirmed by the ECB.

What impact will Wood's absence have on England in Pakistan?

Wood has firmly cemented his place as a key member of England's bowling lineup since making his return for the third Ashes Test against Australia this summer. His performances have been sensational, even clocking speeds up to 97 mph during England’s second-Test victory over the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Following the struggles Pakistani batters faced against Bangladesh pacers on the Rawalpindi pitch in the recently concluded series, Wood's presence could have had a significant impact.

England are expected to play all their Test matches in Multan and Rawalpindi, as the venue for second Test, Karachi, is likely to be unavailable due to ongoing renovations for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

England’s Mark Wood (C) celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Zahid Mahmood (not pictured) during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on December 12, 2022.AFP

Wood played a pivotal role in England’s previous Test series in Pakistan in 2022, where they became the first team to whitewash Pakistan on home soil. In the second Test in Multan, he grabbed two wickets in the first innings and then took four more in the second innings, helping England bowl Pakistan out for 328, securing both the Test and the series for England.

His batting contributions were equally crucial, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 27 balls when England were struggling at 231-7 in the first innings, pushing the team's total to 281. England eventually won that thrilling match by 26 runs, with Wood’s efforts both with the ball and bat playing a decisive role.

Therefore, England are now missing a genuine fast bowler who could trouble the opposition on the flat tracks of Pakistan, as well as a valuable lower-order contributor with the bat.

James Anderson to mentor depleted pace attack

James Anderson extends consultant role until Pakistan, New Zealand tours.Reuters

England's pace bowling unit will have the services of James Anderson as mentor during their upcoming winter tours.

Anderson, a key figure in the 2022 Pakistan tour, has confirmed that he will continue as the bowling consultant for England's men's team through the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand later this year.

Following his retirement, Anderson quickly transitioned into a mentoring role with the England team, offering his knowledge to the next generation of fast bowlers.

"At the minute, I'm due to go to Pakistan and New Zealand in the winter. Then nothing concrete after that,” Anderson was quoted as saying to Sky Sports.

After Anderson's retirement from international cricket, Gus Atkinson has stepped in. He made his debut in Anderson’s final Test and has already claimed three five-wicket hauls at Lord’s. Furthermore, he also has a Test ton under his belt.

England's Gus Atkinson celebrates with Ben Duckett after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Milan Rathnayake.Reuters

Atkinson, Olly Stone, and all-rounder Chris Woakes, are now expected to be part of the squad touring Pakistan.

Will Wood be available for 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan?

According to the statement from the ECB, Wood is targeting a return to full fitness by early 2025. His goal is to be ready for England's white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which kicks off in February 2025.

"He aims to return to full fitness by early 2025, in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled to begin in February 2025," the ECB added.