Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mark Wood will miss the final leg of the ongoing Indian Premier League season to attend the birth of his child. Wood has already missed the last two matches of the LSG this season due to illness. However, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, most of the England players will be available for the entire season. As far as Wood is concerned, he has been nothing short of a revelation for LSG, taking 11 wickets in just four matches, including a sensational five-wicket haul in their opening match against Delhi Capitals.
Wood and his wife Sarah are expecting their second child in the last week of May and the pacer is expected to be back home at some point for the birth of the child. Furthermore, he is unlikely to return to the IPL even if LSG qualifies for the playoffs. LSG has already included Naveen-ul-Haq in their playing XI in Wood’s absence and has done well so far.
As far as England’s international schedule is concerned, they are set to play the only Test against Ireland from June 1. However, the ECB does not intend to call any of its IPL players early. The league stage of IPL will conclude on May 21 while the final will be played on May 28. Players like Joe Root and Harry Brook could feature in the Ireland Test despite being a part of this flourishing league in India. While the status of Ben Stokes is still not clear.
The England Test captain had previously expressed his interest in featuring in the Ireland Test but has yet to set a return date. Also, he hasn’t played for CSK since April 3 in the IPL due to some niggles. Even if he does get fit, it is unlikely that Stokes will get a chance considering his current overseas performances.