Headache for LSG; Mark Wood to Miss Major Part of IPL 2023
Wood has been LSG's most successful bowler in IPL 2023 (AP Photo)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)'s English recruit Mark Wood will miss the latter stage of the Indian Premier League (2023). The speedster's wife is due in late May, meaning Wood will be flying back to the United Kingdom to be there for the birth of his daughter.
As per a report published by ESPNcricinfo, the star LSG pacer will return in the last tierce of May, and he would not be coming back to India for the Playoff stages - if LSG went on to qualify for that.
Considering Jofra Archer's reoccurring elbow injury, the 33-year-old seamer is supposed to be a key figure for England's Test squad for the upcoming Ashes 2023, starting May 16.
Meanwhile, the Three Lions are supposed to play Ireland in a one-off Test match against Ireland at Lord's between May 1-4. However, it is understood that England & Wales Cricket Cricket (ECB) has decided not to pull players out of the IPL to play the Irish.
Even though it is touted that England's Test captain Ben Stokes, who is currently having knee trouble, will fly back home to take part in the four-day affair versus Ireland.
Talking about Wood's form, he is in terrific form in the IPL, with 11 wickets off four innings to his name, and is looked at as one of the top contenders to bag the Purple Cap. He even started off the season with an exemplary spell of 5 for 14 against DC.
After missing matches against Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Englishman will most probably take the field against Punjab on Friday.
 "Arjun Bhalla")
