Mark Wood awaits a specialist’s judgement to ease his elbow fracture fears

This week, Mark Wood will learn whether his right elbow has a stress fracture and whether surgery is necessary to fix the issue. At the beginning of September, Wood’s status was declared out for the remainder of the year due to a scan that revealed what the ECB called a “bone-stress injury”.

The England quick was initially sidelined from the Sri Lanka series as a precaution after sustaining a right groin strain during the first Test against Sri Lanka. This summer, he routinely recorded speeds in the mid-90s, with a peak of 97.1 mph against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. It was only at that point that he was eventually ruled out of this winter’s Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand due to a routine examination of his elbow, which he had felt was stiff during the West Indies series earlier this summer.

The medical staff at ECB is still optimistic that surgery won’t be necessary, but this week’s appointment will confirm that. Three weeks ago, a preliminary scan at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London yielded positive results. At the time, medical professionals expressed optimism that the patient might not need surgery, as there did not appear to be a fracture.

After undergoing two surgeries in 2022 to remove bone fragments and cut a ligament that was lodged in the elbow, Mark Wood was able to resume his peak performance.

He bowled some of his quickest periods during the following two summers, including the 2023 Ashes. In the next few days, it should be established whether he needs to undergo surgery again and whether he indeed has a stress fracture.

“It was an odd injury,” Wood said to BBC Test Match Special at Chester-le-Street during the third One-Day International between Australia and England. “As a quick bowler, I often get a stiff elbow, so I went for a scan after feeling like I had a groin strain.

“I was considering getting an injection, which would allow me to recover from my groin injury at the ideal moment. The doctor advised, “You better get this checked a little more,” and he appeared a little worried when I had the scan. They mentioned that I have some elbow bone tension. I guess I was tinkering with it.

“They were concerned that it might be a stress fracture, but I need to visit a specialist in a few more days to be sure. Quite an odd one, actually.”

Wood disclosed that he has been counselled to minimise the use of his right side in his daily activities, such as picking up his children.

“Really, there’s nothing I can do with my right side. I’ve been warned not to use my right arm when scooping up my children.

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I have to use my left hand for everything. I hope to return to form like Rafael Nadal, with a large left arm and a small right arm.”