Cricket World Cup 2019: Mark Wood an injury doubt for England’s clash against West Indies as Jos Buttler gets green light
Wood experienced discomfort in his left ankle after the victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff, during which he recorded the fastest delivery of the tournament
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Your support makes all the difference.England paceman Mark Wood is an injury doubt for Friday's World Cup clash against the West Indies after a recurrence of his ankle problems.
Wood experienced discomfort in his left ankle after the victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff, during which he recorded the fastest delivery of the tournament at 95.6mph.
Captain Eoin Morgan was eager to downplay concerns, and a matchday fitness test will take place, but given Wood's career-long history of injuries it seems unlikely he will take the field.
He has undergone three major operations in the past and experienced another flare-up on the eve of the competition, withdrawing from a warm-up game against Australia after pulling out of his run-up in pain.
"It's nothing too serious, he just pulled up a little bit sore from the game in Cardiff, he's the only concern at the moment," said Morgan.
"Mark is going to have a fitness test in the morning. If it is still sore, we probably won't take a risk."
Wood dramatically rebooted his career on the winter tour of the Caribbean, finally locating the venom and velocity England had long desired from him.
The Durham quick spoke earlier in the week about his eagerness to impose himself on the same opponents at the Hampshire Bowl, but may now have to accept that three consecutive games is beyond him.
Asked about the need to manage the workload of the bowling group, Morgan said: "It's part of the plan, because they are fast bowlers.
"It will happen to other bowlers throughout the tournament. We're well aware of that. We will have to manage them as we would normally, as we do with Chris Woakes if there's back-to-back games.
"It's not a problem, it's just what happens."
Wood's place could go straight to Moeen Ali, who was stood down as second spinner last time out. His wife gave birth to a baby girl, Haadiya, on Wednesday, but after one day of family time he was back in the indoor nets with his team-mates.
Morgan confirmed that key man Jos Buttler had been given the green light to play, and keep wicket, after sitting out the second innings against Bangladesh with a right hip complaint.
PA
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