In what comes as a huge setback for Lucknow Super Giants in midst of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, their star pacer Mark Wood will not be available for the final stages of the tournament as he will leave for England to be with his wife for the birth of their second child next month, ESPNCricinfo reported. IPL 2023 qualifiers will be played on May 23 and 26 and IPL 2023 Final is scheduled to be played on May 28.
Wood missed playing last two matches of Lucknow Super Giants due to illness. The pace spearhead has been impressive in the five matches he has played so far in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, taking 11 wickets while bowling at an economy of 8.95. Wood made a sensational start to his IPL campaign as he rattled the Delhi Capitals batters by taking five wickets.
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As per the report, Mark Wood's wife is expected to give birth towards end of May and the couple wishes to be together for the birth of their second child. It is highly likely that Wood won't return to India after the birth of his child. In Mark Wood's absence, Lucknow Super Giants gave a chance to Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq in the playing XI, who has been bowling well.
"Wood and his wife Sarah are expecting their second child towards the end of May, and Wood will fly home at some point in the coming weeks in order to be present at the birth," a report in ESPNCricinfo stated.
Lucknow Super Giants are slated to go up against Punjab Kings in their next Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match on 28th April. In their last match, KL Rahul-led Lucknow lost to Gujarat Titans in a low-scoring thriller. Lucknow has so far won 4 out of their 7 matches in IPL 2023.
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Another England star to leave IPL 2023 by the end of league stage?
England cricket team will play a one-off Test against Ireland at Lord's from June 1, just four days after IPL 2023 gets over on May 28.
England Test skipper Ben Stokes had earlier said that he may also miss the final stages of the IPL to prepare for the fixture.
"...ECB does not intend to pull players out of the tournament against their will, having previously indicated to the BCCI and to franchises that they would be available for the full season."