England have called up Leicestershire quick Josh Hull to their Test squad for the Sri Lanka series, following a series-ending injury to Mark Wood.
Wood limped off the field on day three (Friday) of the Old Trafford Test against Sri Lanka, in his 11th over of the innings. He did not return to the field that day, and it was confirmed early on Saturday morning that he had sustained a right thigh injury and would not bowl on day four.
On Sunday (August 25), the ECB issued the following press release: "England Men's pace bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka after scans confirmed a right thigh muscle strain. Wood sustained the injury on the third day of England's five-wicket victory in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which prevented him from bowling on the final day.
"Leicestershire's 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull has received his first senior call-up to replace Wood in the squad for the remaining two Tests at Lord's, starting on Thursday, and at the Kia Oval on Friday, 6 September.
"Hull, who stands at 6ft 7in, has been a pivotal figure in Leicestershire's bowling attack and played a crucial role in their 2023 One-Day Cup victory. Earlier this month, he made his debut for the Lions against the Sri Lanka tourists, taking five for 74 in the Lions' seven-wicket victory."
Read more: Josh Hull: The teenaged two-metre left-arm speedster England have their eye on
Exactly one month ago, Hull also made his debut in the Hundred for Manchester Originals, clocking 90 mph on the speed gun. In nine first-class matches so far, he has taken 15 wickets at an average of 58, an unremarkable record, but the 20-year-old's height and ability to bowl quick are said to have excited the England think-tank.
Being a left-arm pacer, Hull could have the chance now to carve a path of his own in English Test cricket. In this century, only three left-arm pacers have ever played red-ball cricket for England – Ryan Sidebottom, Sam Curran and Alan Mullally. Before them, John Lever was the only left-arm seamer post-World War II to play 20 Tests for England, between 1976 and 1986.
England will take on Sri Lanka in the second Test of three at Lord's, from August 29.
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