England quick bowler Mark Wooden has sustained a proper thigh harm and won’t participate within the fourth day of the primary Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka.
Wooden, 34, pulled up two deliveries into his eleventh over in Sri Lanka’s second innings on the third night at Emirates Outdated Trafford and left the sector instantly.
England might wrap up victory on Saturday, with the vacationers starting on 204-6, solely 82 runs forward.
If Wooden is dominated out of the second Take a look at at Lord’s, starting on Thursday, Olly Stone could be in line for his first Take a look at in three years.
Wooden has been in electrifying kind this summer season, bowling at excessive tempo in three Assessments in opposition to West Indies and this collection opener.
Since returning to the Take a look at facet throughout final summer season’s Ashes, Wooden has established himself in England’s first-choice XI.
Alongside Joe Root and Harry Brook, he was considered one of solely three gamers handed a three-year central contract final yr and is essential to England’s plans for the tour of Australia in 2025-26.
England’s fast-bowling division has gone by important upheaval in latest occasions.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson have each retired, whereas Ollie Robinson has been dropped.
Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton and Dillon Pennington are all injured, and Brydon Carse has served a ban for historic offences associated to playing.
Nottinghamshire’s Stone, 30, is able to excessive tempo and has taken 10 wickets in his three Assessments.
If England want to exchange Wooden, it might result in a call-up for uncapped Essex seamer Sam Cook dinner.