IND vs ENG: Mark Wood Set to Miss Semi-Final Against India – Report
Mark Wood complained of "muscle stiffness" and did not take part in the training sessions in Adelaide.
In what comes as a big blow for England ahead of the semi-final against India, their star pacer Mark Wood will miss the mega clash due to a minor injury, ESPNCricinfo reported on Wednesday, November 9.
Wood complained of “muscle stiffness” and did not take part in the training sessions held in Adelaide recently. The report further added that Chris Jordan will replace the premier pacer in the semi-final against India.
The English pacer has consistently clocked 90 kmph since he made a comeback after recovering from elbow injury, which saw him missing a plenty of action for England last summer.
He has been the best bowler for the Three Lions in the tournament so far. In four matches he played, the pacer has bagged nine wickets at an average of 12.00 and an economy rate of 7.71.
He registered his best bowling figures against Sri Lanka in their last league stage match, where he picked three wickets while conceding 26 runs in his three overs spell.
As for Chris Jordan, the Surrey pacer has played only one competitive game since recovering from a finger injury, that he sustained in the Hundred tournament. He will have to fill the ‘big shoes’ of Mark Wood, especially in the death overs.
Dawid Malan doubtful for semi-final against India
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, on Wednesday (November 9) said that team ans medical staff will monitor them closely and would give time to Wood and Malan to prove their fitness.
“We’ll see how they pull up. Dawid left the field the other day with a small niggle and Woody has had a little bit of stiffness, but we trust the medical team. We trust those two guys as well and we’ll give them as long as possible,” Buttler said.
For the unversed, Dawid Malan’s availability in the semi-final match against India is under jeopardy. He suffered a groin injury while fielding against Sri Lanka and did not bat in the run-chase during England’s victory.
“You need guys to be fit to participate in the game. In all sport you have players that don’t always play at 100 percent, but you have to be able to fulfill your role in the team.”
“We have 15 guys preparing to play and there’s been some really tough selections throughout the whole tournament. We’ve got some fantastic players who have not yet played in the tournament and they’re all desperate to make their mark if given a chance,” Buttler concluded.
England will take on India in the much-anticipated second semi-final match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 on Thursday, November 10 at Adelaide Oval. Whoever ends up on the winning side will face Pakistan in the final of the showpiece tournament.
