England pacer Mark Wood is hopeful of making a comeback in the final test of India’s tour of England 2025. The bowler has said that he is working on his recovery and could return in time for the final match of the test series.
The 35-year old fast bowler is currently recovering from a knee injury and believes he could be fit in time for the Oval Test.
Wood sustained medial ligament injury to his left knee during the 2025 Champions Trophy and limped off the field mid-match. He underwent knee surgery in March and was subsequently advised a four-month rehabilitation period-effectively ruling him out of the five-match series.
However, Wood has been making steady progress and is now hopeful of making an appearance in the final test. Speaking to the media, Mark Wood said he resumed light bowling and is optimistic about being available for the fifth test.
“Rehab is going well. I’ve just started bowling very lightly, so I’m officially on the comeback trail now,” Wood said.
“I’m hoping to still play a part in this series so I get to have a look at some of the players here who I might come up against. I’m still targeting probably the last Test. Anything before that is maybe a bit too soon. The last Test-I might not get there-but at the minute, that’s still my focus.”
The fifth test of the England-India series will be held at The Kia Oval from July 31. Wood is expected to play in the County Championship match for Durham against Somerset starting on July 22 to prove his fitness.
Although his return, the team management is unlikely to rush his back, especially with the Ashes looming on the horizon. England’s pace attack has already been depleted by injuries in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with several frontline bowlers sidelined.
Olly Stone and Jofra Archer are in rehabilitation, with Archer expected to be available for the second test. The reports suggest that he will feature for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship on Sunday.
“It’s been a bit slow to start with. I haven’t been able to do a lot, but it’s starting to speed up now. I’m getting some bowling in-hopefully not too much longer,” Mark Wood said.
“I am still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I’ll just wait and see,” concluded Mark Wood.
