Fast bowler Mark Wood will miss England‘s Test series against Sri Lanka.
Wood has suffered a re-occurrence of a left side strain and has been sidelined from the two-Test series. He had taken a dozen wickets in two Tests against South Africa earlier this year.
England will also be without fast bowlers Jofra Archer and James Anderson, who are recovering from respective elbow and rib injuries.
“It's not his fault I'm injured. I've seen that said a lot actually. It's not my fault, it's not anyone's fault. If everyone knew when they were going to get injured, then there wouldn't be physiotherapists, there wouldn't be any injuries really,” said Archer recently, amid accusations of being over-bowled by captain Joe Root.
“I don't like it when people get blamed wrongfully. It's hard work being captain, being a relied-on batter as well, it all comes with its own pressures. I don't think anyone needs additional pressures which will hamper them, and evidently, hamper the team.
“I always say you look out for who looks out for you, and I guess the team has a big part to play in that as well. If everyone knows what they have to do, then he doesn't have to repeat that and he can spend that time focussing his energy elsewhere. So it makes the team more efficient He is a good leader, and we've got a good bunch of boys who want to be led as well.”
England stars in IPL
Galle and Colombo will host the two Tests. After the tour of Sri Lanka, several England stars will be involved in the Indian Premier League. All-rounder Ben Stokes, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and fast bowler Tom Curran will reprresent the Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan won the first IPL in 2008 – and are offered at 10.00 by bet365 for a second title this year.
“It's an unbelievable standard at the IPL, so it's a great experience for me. These are sold-out games and it's proper loud. So it's mirroring as close to the biggest games on the international circuit, what they'll be like. It will be a great experience. If guys go there and do well, they'll take a lot of confidence from that. That's what it's all about,” said Curran, who previously played for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
