England call up Hull after Wood ruled out of SL series

2 months ago 13
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England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka with a thigh injury.

Wood, 34, left the field on day three of the first Test, which England won by five wickets, and did not bowl at all on the final day.

Leicestershire seamer Josh Hull has been called up to replace Wood in the squad with the second Test starting at Lord's on Thursday.

Hull, 20, impressed for the England Lions earlier this month by taking 5-74 in Sri Lanka's only warm-up match.

Wood, who regularly clocked speeds over 90mph during the first Test, is a key component of England's Test side as they look ahead to the Ashes in Australia in 2025-26.

The pace attack at Lord's is likely to be led by Chris Woakes, with Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone and Hull the other seam options in the squad.

Analysis by BBC chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt

There has been a buzz about Josh Hull ever since he made his Leicestershire debut last summer.

With height, lively pace and the ability to swing the ball, he is every inch a fast bowler, as if the cricketing gods have built a paceman from scratch.

If England are building an attack to give them as many options as possible, then a left-armer is something they are lacking. Hull’s first-class average of 58 is no indicator of a bowler that has been tearing up the County Championship, yet England have once again picked on attributes and potential, rather than domestic record.

For that reason, Essex’s Sam Cook can feel unfortunate. He was name-checked by managing director Rob Key when James Anderson retired. Cook’s first-class numbers are staggering, but he is not a like-for-like replacement for Wood, who is likely to be fit for the Pakistan tour in October.

If Hull plays, he will become England’s third-youngest seamer in Test cricket, behind Ben Hollioake and Sam Curran. England will not make change for change’s sake, but with two more Tests in two weeks and Chris Woakes struggling on Saturday, there is every chance.

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