Huge boost for England: Mark Wood returns to England nets ahead of Lord's Test vs India

Veteran England fast bowler Mark Wood is closer to a return for the national cricket team after recovering from knee surgery that had sidelined him for four months. The fast bowler has resumed training amid the England-India Test series and was seen bowling in the nets, but not at full intensity.

Wood was sidelined for four months following knee surgery, which he underwent after sustaining an injury during England’s loss to Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He was expected to miss the entire home Test summer.

However, the Durham speedster is now on the road to recovery and is hopeful of returning in time to play in the final stages of the ongoing Test series against India.

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Mark Wood Seen Bowling in England Nets on Wednesday

Mark Wood was seen bowling in the England nets on Wednesday, but not at full intensity, as reported by The Telegraph’s Will Macpherson. Wood will miss at least the first three Test matches, and a decision on his return will likely be made closer to the fourth or fifth Test, depending on his recovery.

"England training at Lord's. Mark Wood here, bowling off his full run (but not at full pace)," Macpherson wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

England training at Lord's. Mark Wood here, bowling off his full run (but not at full pace)

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) July 9, 2025

England’s pace attack has faced numerous setbacks. Jofra Archer was unavailable early in the series but could return for the Lord’s Test. Gus Atkinson, previously sidelined with injury, has also rejoined the squad ahead of the third match.

Meanwhile, Brydon Carse is reportedly struggling with a toe issue and may require rest, adding to England's fast-bowling concerns.

Mark Wood’s Performances Against India Have Been Underwhelming

Mark Wood has taken 119 wickets in 37 Test matches at an average of 30.42, including five five-wicket hauls. However, his performances against India have been underwhelming, with only nine wickets from four Tests at a high average of 50.33.

Notably, five of those wickets came in a single match at Lord’s in 2021 - his only Test against India on English soil.

Meanwhile, England have named a 16-member squad for the upcoming Lord’s Test against India, scheduled from July 10 to 14. They included seven fast bowlers - Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson.

India-England Five-Match Test Series Evenly Poised at 1-1

The five-match Test series between England and India is evenly poised at 1-1 after two contests. England secured the victory at Headingley in Leeds by chasing down 371 in the fourth innings to win by five wickets. It was the tenth-highest successful run chase in Test history.

India bounced back in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham with a 336-run victory. It was their first-ever Test win at the venue and their largest away win by runs.

Shubman Gill has been in sensational form throughout the series. He scored 269 and 161 in the Edgbaston Test alone. With 585 runs from four innings, he is the leading run-getter.

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