Overview

• Mark Wood resumed light bowling in June after knee surgery in March and says he is officially on the comeback trail.
• He is targeting a return for the fifth Test against India at The Oval from July 31 to August 4.
• To validate his fitness, Wood is scheduled to play in Durham’s County Championship match against Somerset starting July 22.
• England’s pace resources have been stretched by injuries to Olly Stone, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson, with Archer expected back for the second Test in Birmingham from July 2.
• A fit Wood could be pivotal for England’s final Tests this summer and their preparations for the Ashes tour in Australia later in 2025.