ENG vs SL: Mark Wood ruled out of Test series, replaced by 6ft 7in seamer

England's tearaway fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the Test series against Sri Lanka. Leicestershire's 20-year-old seamer Josh Hull replaces the speedster.

In Short

• Mark Wood will not be taking any further part in the Sri Lanka series
• The tearaway pacer has been ruled out due to muscle strain
• 20-year-old Josh Hull replaces Mark Wood in the England squad

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test series due to muscle strain, confirmed the England and Wales Cricket Board on Sunday, August 25. Wood, who had walked off the field in the second innings of the first Test match, would not be playing the last two matches of the series. The ECB announced 20-year-old Josh Hull as the replacement for the speedster.

Hull, who plays for Leicestershire in the County Cricket set up is 20 years of age. The left-arm seamer stands at 6ft 7in tall and played a prime role in the club's 2023 One-Day Cup victory. Earlier this month, he made his debut for the England Lions against the Sri Lanka tourists, taking five for 74 in the teams' seven-wicket victory. The England squad will assemble in London on Monday night ahead of the second Test at Lord's.

Hull has experience of 9 first-class games where he has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 58.06. He has a better List A record where he has picked up 17 wickets from 9 matches at an average of 24.23.

The lack of Mark Wood would surely affect the England team. Wood has consistently done well in home conditions with his fiery spells. While the wickets column has not been kind to him, Wood's presence has created pressure on the opposition batters who have been blown off their feet by the sheer pace of the fast bowler in the last two seasons.

England Men's Test Squad

Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes