England announced on Saturday (August 24) that fast bowler Mark Wood would not take the field on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka, due to an injury sustained on day three.
At Old Trafford, Wood limped off the field two balls into his 11th over of the innings, with the Sri Lankan score reading 190-5 in 55.2 overs. The remaining deliveries were bowled by Joe Root, who managed to pick up the wicket of Milan Rathnayake.
Early signs were promising as Wood was able to leave the field without needing any support, but the fact that his right thigh was injured was cause for concern for England. The pacer has had previous injuries in the area, and was taken for further tests on Saturday morning.
A media release from England on Saturday stated the following: "England pace bowler Mark Wood has sustained a right thigh muscle injury late on the third day of the first Rothesay Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford.
"He will not return to the field today and will continue to be assessed by the England medical team to determine the full extent of the injury."
Without Wood, England's bowling attack now consists of pacers Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts apart from spinners Shoaib Bashir and Root. Dan Lawrence is also a spin-bowling option.
The home side will hope they do not have to bowl too much more in this match, though. They bowled Sri Lanka out for 236 in the first innings, before a century from young wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (111) ensured that they were able to take a 122-run lead.
England's bowlers then once again had Sri Lanka on the mat at 1-2 and 52-3 in the third innings. To make matters worse for the visitors, they had an injury of their own as Dinesh Chandimal was struck on the hand by Wood in the 18th over, and had to retire hurt.
However, Angelo Mathews (65) and Kamindu Mendis (56*) ensured England would have to bat again, and Chandimal returned to the crease at the fall of the sixth wicket. At the end of day three, Sri Lanka led by 82 runs, with the score at 204-6.
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