Mark Wood to miss day four of first Test against Sri Lanka due to injury

England announced on Saturday (August 24) that fast bowler Mark Wood would not take the field on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka, due to an injury sustained on day three.

At Old Trafford, Wood limped off the field two balls into his 11th over of the innings, with the Sri Lankan score reading 190-5 in 55.2 overs. The remaining deliveries were bowled by Joe Root, who managed to pick up the wicket of Milan Rathnayake.

Early signs were promising as Wood was able to leave the field without needing any support, but the fact that his right thigh was injured was cause for concern for England. The pacer has had previous injuries in the area, and was taken for further tests on Saturday morning.

A media release from England on Saturday stated the following: "England pace bowler Mark Wood has sustained a right thigh muscle injury late on the third day of the first Rothesay Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford.

"He will not return to the field today and will continue to be assessed by the England medical team to determine the full extent of the injury."

Without Wood, England's bowling attack now consists of pacers Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts apart from spinners Shoaib Bashir and Root. Dan Lawrence is also a spin-bowling option.

England's bowlers dominated Sri Lanka early on, reducing them to 1-2 and 52-3 in their second innings after dismissing them for 236 in the first.

A brilliant century from young wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (111) gave England a 122-run lead. Despite an injury scare for Dinesh Chandimal, who was struck on the hand by Mark Wood, Sri Lanka fought back through Angelo Mathews (65) and Kamindu Mendis (56*), ensuring England would have to bat again.

By the end of day three, Sri Lanka had reached 204-6, leading by 82 runs.