ICC World Cup 2019: Blow for ENG as star pacer doubtful for Windies match

The hosts, England have received a major blow ahead of their important clash against Windies in the ICC World Cup 2019 as star pace bowler Mark Wood has injured his left foot and is doubtful for the match.

Wood’s availability to be known on match day 

The right-arm pacer has injured his left foot and this has prevented him from bowling in the last couple of days. The team management is observing Wood’s condition and will take a call on the match day.

Wood is supposed to go through a fitness test on Thursday morning ahead of the toss against Windies and the team management will take a call based on the results of this test.

Ahead of the clash against West Indies, England skipper Eoin Morgan confirmed that a late call will be taken on the inclusion of Mark Wood, who hurt his ankle in the previous game #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/q38NFsAvt6

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 14, 2019

Mark Wood touch-and-go for tomorrow v West Indies with a bruised left foot. Will have a fitness test in the morning (hasn’t bowled for two days) before Eoin Morgan makes a call on the XI. #CWC19

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) June 13, 2019

Who will replace Wood in his absence?

Wood is one of the leading pace bowlers for England and has an impressive show in recent times. He has picked four wickets in two matches in the ongoing World Cup and his ability to maintain a tight line consistently made him the ideal partner for Jofra Archer.

Wood has featured in 43 ODIs so far and has claimed 47 wickets at a strike rate of 45.8. But it is his economy rate of 5.64 that has stood out as England play mostly on flat tracks and Wood has successfully bowled tight overs in crunch moments.

Hence the pace bowler’s absence will be a major blow to England although the team has a few capable replacements.  Tom Curran might fancy his chances as he is an effective seam bowler and can be a handy batsman too. The team might even go with Moeen Ali as an extra spinner to ensure the Windies batsmen don’t get pace on the ball to play their strokes.

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England squad for the ICC World Cup 2019

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.