England fast bowler Mark Wood will be out for the rest of the year with an elbow injury

England fast bowler Mark Wood will be out for the year with a right elbow injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the player said on Friday.

Wood, who injured his right thigh in last month’s first Test against Sri Lanka and was ruled out of the remainder of the series, was diagnosed with a bone strain in his elbow during a medical examination.

“I was shocked,” Wood wrote on Instagram.

“I would say it’s the usual little niggles that any fast bowler has and that I’ve had playing. I’m particularly surprised because I’ve played Test cricket and I’ve maintained my speed.”

Wood, who has taken 119 wickets in 37 Tests, will miss England’s Test tours to Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December, the ECB said in a statement.

“He aims to return to full fitness by early 2025, in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which are scheduled to begin in February 2025,” the ECB added.

Wood, 34, said he has been down this path before.

“See you for some rockets in 2025,” he wrote.