Mark Wood, England's fast bowler, is a doubt for the first Test against Pakistan. Wood has been in the UK recovering from a hip injury sustained during England's successful T20 World Cup campaign and will join the Test squad this weekend in Rawalpindi.
Though the 32-year-old was ruled out of the semi-final against India due to injury, he was considered fit to play in the final against Pakistan before it was decided not to take a chance with such a high-profile match.
His recovery is said to be going well. With only three training days before the series begins on December 1, it appears unlikely that he will be able to accumulate the necessary number of overs at a high enough intensity to prepare himself for the rigors of a Test match.However, England captain Ben Stokes expressed confidence in Wood's fitness and stated that no cover will be drafted into the squad.
"No, we're sticking with it. We're not going to call up another seamer to this group,” said Stokes.
"We took the decision to let Brooky and Woody spend that time at home, obviously being at Pakistan and the World Cup.
We felt a week at home for them would be more beneficial, just to get their batteries recharged, and obviously with Woody's injury, getting home and being around his wife and child would be better than being out here and getting all his rehab, which he could do at home,” he added.