England Playing XI for ENG vs SL 2nd Test at Lord’s: Mark Wood OUT!

England have announced their playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, with Olly Stone stepping in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Mark Wood. The change comes as England aim to continue their winning momentum after a five-wicket victory in the first Test of the three-match ICC World Test Championship series at Old Trafford.

England Playing XI for ENG vs SL 2nd Test at Lord’s

Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Shoaib Bashir.

Pacer Olly Stone, who has battled a series of injuries throughout his career, has been given the nod over uncapped left-armer Josh Hull, who was also in contention. Stone’s inclusion is the only change to the squad, with the rest of the team remaining the same from their successful outing in Manchester.

Stone made his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2019 but has since faced recurring back injuries that have hampered his progress in the Test arena. The right-armer, now 30, has shown promising signs of fitness and form this season, earning him another chance to prove himself on the biggest stage. This match will mark just his fourth appearance in Test cricket.

Mark Wood Ruled Out of the Series

Wood sustained a thigh injury during the first Test at Old Trafford, which led to his exclusion from the remainder of the series. Known for his blistering pace, Wood clocked the fastest delivery of the 2022 T20 World Cup at 155 kph against New Zealand, and his absence will be felt by the England camp.

Stone, while not quite as fast as Wood, is eager to fill the void and make a statement with his performance. “It’s been pretty frightening… the way he (Wood) has come in and bowled this summer is very exciting,” Stone said. “Hopefully, I can go out there and try to touch his speeds. He’s obviously up there with the fastest in the world, so I’m not sure if I’ll match it – but I’ll give it a good shot.”

England’s Path in World Test Championship 2024

With the World Test Championship standings in mind, England are keen to build on their winning start to the series and strengthen their position in the table. Securing a series win at Lord’s would not only seal the series against Sri Lanka but also keep them firmly in the race for a spot in the WTC final.

As England take to the field at Lord’s, all eyes will be on Olly Stone to see if he can step up and fill the shoes of the injured Wood. For now, England remain confident in their choice and hope to continue their winning ways in this critical series.

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