Mark Wood Hopeful for a Comeback in the Fifth Test Against India

As he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery, Mark Wood claims that he may yet make an appearance in England's Test series against India. Wood, the 35-year-old, limped out of the Champions Trophy earlier this year with medial ligament damage in his left knee, and underwent an operation in March. The initial prognosis was for a four-month recovery period, which effectively ruled him out of featuring in the five Tests against Shubman Gill's India, which began at Headingley on Friday. However, Wood has now stated that he may be eligible to participate in the final Test, which begins on July 31 at the Kia Oval. He is expected to play competitively for Durham in their County Championship match against Somerset, which starts on July 22 and will be played with the Kookaburra ball. Wood declared to BBC Test Match Special, "Rehab is going well." "I'm officially on the comeback trail now that I've just started bowling lightly. "I'm hoping still to play a part in this series, so I get to have a look at some of the players here who I might come up against. I'm still targeting probably the last Test. Anything preceding that might be a little too soon. The last Test, I might not get there, but at the minute that's still my focus that I might play a part. "It's been a bit slow [coming back] to start with. I haven't been able to do much, but I'm starting to move faster and getting in some bowling, hopefully soon. [I am] still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I'll just wait and see." England will be cautious with Wood given the Ashes tour of Australia on the horizon, and the fact their pace options have been limited by injury. Olly Stone's own knee injury ruled him out of the entire Test season, while Gus Atkinson was not available for the first India Test after suffering a hamstring strain against Zimbabwe. The England management is optimistic that Jofra Archer will be available for the second Test in Birmingham on July 2, whetting the appetite for a potential Test comeback after four years of batting stress fractures in the back and right elbow. In the meantime, Jofra Archer's carefully managed return continues. Archer, who last played competitive red-ball cricket in May 2021, is expected to play for Sussex against Durham on Sunday.