IPL 2022: Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mark Wood ruled out due to elbow injury
Ace Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of IPL 2022 with an elbow injury. It will be a massive blow to the newly-added franchise leading up to the mega event.
Incidentally, Wood sustained an elbow injury during the 1st Test between England and West Indies. He walked off the ground in acute pain holding his elbow and didn’t return to the ground.
Wood had attempted to take a fitness test – bowling six deliveries in the nets – before the start of play on the fifth day of the 1st Test but looked in utter discomfort. The 32-year-old pacer was eventually ruled out of the 2nd Test.
As things stand, Mark Wood will also miss IPL 2022, scheduled to commence on March 26. Wood’s exit will hurt Lucknow Super Giants plan with only a week left for the competition to commence. The franchise had shelled INR 7.5 crores to rope in the ace English fast bowler.
Lucknow Super Giants to rely on Sri Lanka’s Dusmantha Chameera
West Indies allrounder Jason Holder, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Sri Lanka quick Dushmantha Chameera are the other overseas fast bowlers in their squad. However, Holder and Stoinis will miss the start of their campaign given West Indies and Australia are engaged in bilateral series against England and Pakistan respectively.
The Lucknow franchise will now rely heavily on Chameera, who missed the two-match Test series against India. However, he has recovered well and will be available for selection if reports are to be believed.
Mark Wood has so far made only a solitary appearance in IPL, playing a match for Chennai Super Kings in 2018. He conceded 49 runs in four overs and went wicketless. However, he has improved leaps and bounds in the last few years and earned the trust of the franchise owners.
However, with Wood ruled out, they will now have to look for alternate options. They are yet to name a replacement of the same. KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants will kick off their IPL 2022 campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 28.
