Mark Wood will not join the England Lions for their one-day series against Sri Lanka A next month, reverting to the original plan of the Durham and England fast bowler making his return after ankle surgery in the North-South Series later in March.
Wood recently returned from England cricket’s Pace Programme warm-weather training camp at Potchefstroom in South Africa, where he stepped up his return to bowling programme after surgery on his left ankle last autumn.
The England selectors have agreed with the Pace Programme coaches and medical staff that although Wood’s recovery remains on course, he would benefit from spending three more weeks’ training at home before travelling to Dubai for the North-South Series – with the priority of ensuring his fitness and performance for the start of the domestic season in April.
At this stage there are no plans for Wood to be replaced in the Lions squad for the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka A, which begins in Dambulla on March 2.
The three-match North-South Series begins at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 17, with Wood in a 13-man North squad that will be captained by his Durham team-mate Keaton Jennings.