The England bowling attack has been told not to worry about leaking runs and rather just focus on taking wickets against an ultra-aggressive Indian batting unit, senior pacer Mark Wood said on Monday. Wood, who is in the middle of his first international commitment since July, has bowled decently in the series thus far. Fellow pacer Jofra Archer, however, conceded as many as 60 runs in four overs in the previous game in Chennai with Tilak Varma taking him to the cleaners. India have taken their T20 game to the next level under skipper Suryakymar Yadav and England must find a way to counter them in third T20I here on Tuesday. India lead the five match series 2-0.

“We’ll just be trying to take wickets. I don’t think (Brendon) McCullum wants us to worry about runs too much, he’s all about how can we impact the game that way,” Wood said on the eve of the third T20I.

“We bowled well in the last game as a group. With the target they were chasing (167), we were always looking for that attacking option of taking wickets. Some might have went for a few runs at times but I also felt what was going to win us the game was trying to bowl them out.” England have struggled against the Indian spinners while the pace group led by Wood has posed a few challenges for the host team’s batters. Rajkot pitch usually offers plenty of runs, making it a batters versus batters contest.

“Speaking of pace against spin, I still think we’ve got one of the best spinners in the world in Adil Rashid, he’s a huge weapon for us and every time he plays, he looks like he’s going to get wickets. I wouldn’t count him out of our attack, he’s a vital part of it,” said Wood.

“And we’ve got a lot of options: Livingstone, Bethell, if he comes back. As a pace bowling group, the other night maybe there was one or two overs we might have changed but in general we kept coming at the India batters.

“One guy played exceptionally well (Tilak Varma), if the luck was slightly different: a top-edge that went for six over the wicketkeeper, if that goes straight up in the air, it’s a different story,” explained the 35-year-old.

Coming back to action after a long lay-off, Wood is satisfied with the pace he is generating but is seeking more accuracy.

“I felt a little bit hit and miss – I’ve done a couple of good things, it’s great that my pace has been up there and I feel it’s coming out my hand well but the accuracy at times hasn’t been quite where I wanted it. But when I haven’t played since August, it’s pretty much expected – I’ve played two games since then.

“Hopefully the more I play, the better I get leading into the 50-over stuff and the Champions Trophy. I’ll keep trying my best and try to improve in training. Hopefully that narrows my focus even more.” On India’s young guns including Varma and Abhishek Sharma, Wood added: “They play good shots. The depth of Indian batting, they have got experienced players and these young guys coming in but my concentration is on England.”

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain heaped praise on Brydon Carse ahead of his Test debut for the Three Lions and said that the 29-year-old has got a lot of pace. Carse will be playing maiden long-format match in the upcoming first Test match against Pakistan in Multan. Earlier on Saturday, the England Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement and announced that pacer Brydon Carse will be making his Test debut in the first Test match of the three-game series.

“England Men have confirmed their XI for the first Test against Pakistan, set to commence on Monday in Multan. Durham seamer Brydon Carse will be making his Test debut. With England Captain Ben Stokes still recovering from a hamstring tear, Ollie Pope will captain the side in his absence,” ECB wrote in a statement.

Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, Hussain said that Carse can do Mark Wood’s role in a match. The former cricketer added that he was impressed after seeing the 29-year-old’s performance in the white-ball cricket.

“I think someone like Carse can do that Mark Wood role. I was impressed with him in the white-ball cricket. He’s got a lot of pace and if they’re the flat pitches that England played on last time, then you’re going to need that express pace as well as skill, and Carse provides that,” Hussain was quoted by Sky Sports as saying.

He also added that Jack Leach performed well with Somerset.

“I was watching some of the Somerset games towards the end of the summer, and Leach looked like he had really, really good rhythm in those. He’s obviously missed out because of Bashir, his Somerset team-mate, going past him but I think he’s done a really good job for Somerset, and he had a good tour out there last time,” he added.

The first Test will begin on October 7 in Multan, followed by the second Test on October 15, also in Multan. The final Test will be held in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28.

England’s playing XI against Pakistan in the Multan Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (C), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been instructed to refrain from using his right arm for even the simplest tasks, including picking up his children, as he grapples with a bone stress injury in his right elbow. The injury has sidelined the 34-year-old for the remainder of 2024, with Wood targeting a return early next year. “I have been told to stop picking my kids up with my right arm. I have to do everything with my left,” Wood revealed in an interview with BBC’s Test Match Special.

The injury was uncovered during England’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka, where Wood initially suffered a groin issue. While undergoing scans for the groin injury, concerns arose about his elbow, which ultimately ruled him out of England’s upcoming winter Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.

Wood, who had elbow surgery in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in England’s bowling attack, known for his ability to consistently bowl at extreme pace—an asset that is seen as crucial in England’s hopes of reclaiming the Ashes in Australia in 2025-26.

Reflecting on the unusual circumstances of his injury, Wood explained: “It was a bizarre injury. I had a bit of a groin tweak and went for a scan with a stiff elbow, which is not uncommon for a fast bowler. I was thinking I might need an injection, which would give me a perfect time period with the groin injury.”

However, the scan revealed something far more concerning. “The doctor was worried about what they saw in the scan. They said I have some bone stress in my elbow. I must have been playing with it. They were worried it would be a stress fracture, but I have to see a specialist in a few days to determine that,” Wood added.

The injury has come at a tough time for Wood, whose career has been punctuated by several injuries, yet he remains one of England’s most potent weapons in Test cricket. His absence is a significant blow for the team as they look ahead to key international fixtures in 2024 and beyond.

With Wood sidelined, the focus will be on his rehabilitation and potential return to full fitness. England’s medical staff will be closely monitoring his progress, with the hope that the fast bowler can return in time for critical engagements, including their 2025-26 Ashes campaign.

For now, Wood is focusing on rest and recovery, albeit in an unconventional way. “There is nothing I can really do on my right side,” he admitted, as he navigates daily life with his left hand while waiting for more definitive results on his elbow.

File image of Olly Stone.© X (Twitter)

Uncapped English fast bowler Josh Hull will replace Mark Wood in the remaining two Test matches of the series against Sri Lanka after the 34-year-old suffered a right thigh muscle strain while bowling in the second innings of the Manchester Test, according to the ICC. Hull is a left-arm seamer, who recently featured in the England Lions fixture against Sri Lanka, and picked up five wickets at an average of 14.8. Wood had an exceptional start to his spell in the second inning, getting the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne off his first ball, but pulled out of his run-up in the 56th over, and left the field.

He didn’t bowl again in the game, which England eventually won by five wickets.

Recapping the first match of the series, SL won the toss and opted to bat first. Struggling at 113/7, it was knocks from skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (74 in 84 balls, with eight fours) and Milan Rathnayake (72 in 135 balls, with six fours and two sixes) that pushed SL to 236/10.

Chris Woakes (3/32) and Shoaib Bashir (3/55) were the top bowlers for England.

Despite a poor start and a tricky score of 67/3, fine performances from middle-order batters Joe Root (42 in 57 balls with four boundaries), Harry Brook (56 in 73 balls with four boundaries), and centurion Jamie Smith (111 in 148 balls, with eight fours and a six) helped England attain a lead of 122 runs as they were bundled out for 358 runs.

Ashitha Fernando (4/103) and Prabhat Jayasuriya (3/85) delivered fine spells for Sri Lanka.

In their second innings, SL once again found themselves in a troublesome position, with the score reading 95/4. However, veterans Angelo Matthews (65 in 145 balls, with two fours and a six), and Dinesh Chandimal (79 in 119 balls, with seven fours) formed a 78-run partnership to push SL towards a lead. Later, keeping his fine form, Kamindu Mendis slammed his second Test ton in five innings, scoring 113 in 183 balls, with 15 fours and a six. SL put up a total of 326/10, giving them a respectable lead of 204 runs.

Woakes and Matthew Potts (3/47) took three wickets each to lead England’s bowling charts.

In reply, England was in a tight position at 70/3. However, Root’s calm and composed half-century (62* in 128 balls with two fours) and solid contributions from Brook (32 in 68 balls, with three fours) and Smith (39* in 48 balls, with four boundaries and a six) took England to a five-wicket win.

England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

England squad: Ollie Pope (C), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

The fan pouched the ball with one hand leaving Paul Collingwood and others awestruck.© X (Twitter)

Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test fifty by an England batsman as the hosts hammered the West Indies by 10 wickets to win the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday. Set 82 to win, England finished on 87-0 in a mere 7.2 overs as they completed a 3-0 series whitewash of the West Indies in spectacular style and with more than two days to spare. England captain Stokes, opening in place of the injured Zak Crawley, needed just 24 balls to go to a fifty featuring nine fours and a six. He bettered the previous record quickest Test-match fifty by an England batsman of 28 balls set by Ian Botham against India at Delhi back in 1981.

Stokes then ended the match by pulling West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite‘s part-time spin for six to finish 57 not out.

Earlier, express fast bowler Mark Wood polished off the tail with a superb spell of 5-9 in six overs to finish with 5-40 in 14 as the West Indies were dismissed for 175 in their second innings

West Indies opener Mikyle Louis, whose 57 was his maiden Test fifty, and Kavem Hodge (55) offered some resistance but the next highest score in the innings was 12 — a total shared by Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder and extras.

The tourists resumed on 33-2, still 61 runs behind an England first-innings 376, where Jamie Smith fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test century in making 95 while further fifties from Joe Root (87), Chris Woakes (62) and Stokes (54) helped the hosts recover from a collapse to 54-5.

Louis was 18 not out overnight, after being dropped by Stokes on nine, and Athanaze five not out.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and Wood opened the bowling after the pair had teamed up to good effect during England’s 241-run win in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Athanaze was soon lbw for 12 to the 20-year-old Bashir after missing a sweep.

But the West Indies did avoid the embarrassment of a second innings defeat in three Tests following an innings and 114-run loss in the series opener at Lord’s.

Louis, who only made his debut in that match, completed a maiden Test fifty in style when he slog-swept Bashir for six before he cleared the ropes again off the spinner.

But the 23-year-old fell soon afterwards when paceman Stokes drew him into edging a full-length ball to second slip.

Hodge, who made his maiden Test century at Trent Bridge, went to fifty in just 56 balls, including seven fours.

Wood strikes

But the West Indies, 151-5 at lunch, folded tamely as Wood ripped through the lower order.

Joshua Da Silva was plumb lbw before Alzarri Joseph had his stumps demolished by Wood after missing a drive.

Wood then roughed up opposing quick Jayden Seales with a bouncer before bowling him next ball for a duck with a fuller-length delivery — a classic one-two trick.

And the 34-year-old Wood, unlucky to take just two wickets in the whole of the second Test, ended the innings when he had Shamar Joseph well caught at second slip by Durham team-mate Stokes.

That might have been the end of Stokes’s involvement in normal circumstances but Crawley’s finger injury, suffered while dropping a slip catch earlier Sunday, was the cue for the left-handed batsman’s blistering assault.

Stokes thumped from Alzarri Joseph for fours through cover-point and deep square leg off successive balls in the first over of the chase, with the fast bowler conceding 23 runs in his opening two overs.

He then drove Jayden Seales on the up for four and struck Jason Holder back over the towering all-rounder’s head for yet another boundary to the delight of a capacity, sun-drenched crowd.

England vs West Indies Live Score 3rd Test Day 1© AFP

England vs West Indies 2nd Test Day 3: Live Score Updates© AFP

Mark Wood scripted history as he bowled the fastest recorded Test over by an England bowler at home during the ongoing day of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge here on Friday. Wood, who replaced retired pacer James Anderson in England’s playing 11, set the bar high in his first over as he wasted no time and clocked the speed of 93.9 mph (151.1 km/h) on the first delivery to opener Mikyle Louis. He bettered his it and clocked 96.1 mph (154.65 km/h) on the second ball, leaving the batter clueless. Wood continued his onslaught with deliveries at 95.2 mph (152.88 km/h) and 92.2 mph (148.06 km/h) before delivering a searing 96.5 mph (155.30 km/h) yorker on his fifth ball, which Louis managed to dig out for a single.

The 34-year-old England pacer ended the over with another fast delivery at 95.2 mph (153.20 km/h) to West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, averaging 94.40 mph over six balls.

In his second over, Wood ramped up the heat with deliveries clocked at 95 mph (152 km/h), 93 mph (149.66 km/h), 95 mph (152 km/h), 96 mph (154.49 km/h), 97.1 mph (156.26 km/h), and 94 mph (151.27 km/h).

In the third Ashes Test at Headingley last year, the 34-year-old Wood raised the tempo when he reached blazing speeds of 91 mph, 93 mph, 95 mph, 93 mph, 94 mph, and 93 mph in an over. In the end, England prevailed by three wickets in the test.

Wood upped the ante when he hit a short delivery against Louis at 97.1 mph in his third over.

The 34-year-old is regarded as one of the world’s quickest bowlers across formats. In the Multan Test in 2022, he set the fastest Test delivery speed of 156.6 kmph against Pakistan.

In the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, which England won, Wood bowled the fastest delivery of the tournament, clocking 154.74 km/h against New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips in a Super 12 match. Wood dominated the top 10 fastest deliveries of the World Cup, with six of his balls exceeding 153 km/h.

Wood also set a record for the fastest T20 over in men’s cricket, averaging 149.02 kmph in a four-over spell against Afghanistan during the World Cup. Additionally, he bowled the fastest delivery of the 2019 ODI World Cup, reaching 154 km/h against New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls in the final at Lord’s.