The England Cricket team began its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 journey with a narrow win over Nepal in Mumbai. Sam Curran held his nerve to secure a four-run victory for his team. While England started their tournament successfully, there is concern about Mark Wood as he is currently sidelined due to injury.
Recently, Wood appeared on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast with Jos Buttler, where he discussed his recovery and provided an update on his knee injury. Wood sustained this injury during the fifth Ashes Test in Australia and has not played since.
Wood stated that he needs more time to recover as his return date is still uncertain.
Wood mentioned:
“A few weeks of gym work, and then I can have a re-scan, see how my knee is and then make a plan from there. The specialist said that surgery isn’t ruled out yet. But the swelling is down, that’s a positive. The only problem is that I have got a real chicken leg – it is the thinnest leg. So I have got about six weeks to build that up.”
This update clarifies why Wood is absent from the England T20 World Cup squad and indicates that his return is still a long way off.
Impact of Mark Wood’s Absence on England
Since the Ashes, England has played few International matches, making it difficult to assess how much they miss Wood. They did secure a series win against Sri Lanka, winning all three matches of their T20I series at home.
Although Wood is a significant asset due to his speed and skill, England’s players are holding their ground. The team, led by Harry Brook, has sufficient batting and bowling depth to remain strong contenders for the semi-finals.
The addition of all-rounders Sam Curran and Jamie Overton adds further stability to the squad. Curran once again showcased his value by bowling a crucial final over against Nepal to clinch the match. His calmness in tense situations helps England navigate challenges effectively.
Wood is expected to have a lengthy recovery as surgery may be required after the swelling in his knee subsides. Meanwhile, England will continue their World Cup campaign without him, relying on their squad’s depth and form to progress in the tournament.
