Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Mark Wood out of last two Tests against Sri Lanka

Wood, who has faced multiple fitness challenges throughout his career, suffered the injury during England's five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test.

Mark Wood falls over after bowling during the 1st Test Match between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford on August 23, 2024 in Manchester. (Photo: Getty Images)
Mark Wood falls over after bowling during the 1st Test Match between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford on August 23, 2024 in Manchester. (Photo: Getty Images)

ENGLAND fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remaining Tests in the series against Sri Lanka after scans confirmed he sustained a right thigh muscle strain, the team management announced on Sunday.

Wood, who has faced multiple fitness challenges throughout his career, suffered the injury during England's five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford on Friday. The 34-year-old bowler left the field just two balls into his 11th over and did not play on Saturday, as England secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.


Leicestershire’s 20-year-old left-arm paceman Josh Hull has been called up to replace Wood in the squad for the upcoming Tests at Lord’s, starting on Thursday, and at The Oval, beginning September 6. Hull, who stands at 6ft 7in (2 m), has been a significant part of Leicestershire's bowling attack and played a key role in their 2023 One-Day Cup final victory.

England also have Olly Stone, another fast bowler, in their squad, who may now be set to play his first Test in three years.

Hull, who turned 20 earlier this week, has played just nine first-class matches, taking 15 wickets at an average of 58.06. However, under coach Brendon McCullum, England has shown a preference for selecting players based on potential and specific skill sets rather than statistics alone.

Earlier this month, Hull made his debut for the England Lions, taking 5-74 in a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

Reflecting on his unexpected call-up, Hull told BBC Radio Leicester: "It was about half nine (2030 GMT) last (Saturday) night when I got the call from Brendon McCullum. It's a very special moment. It’s come around pretty quickly, I didn't think it would happen this fast, but I am really excited to be joining them."

He added, "I was happy with how I performed (for the England Lions) but I never thought it would lead to a call this early. They’ve got Olly Stone there as the first replacement, so it will be a great opportunity to join up and be part of that environment."

England is in the process of rejuvenating their pace attack following the retirements of Stuart Broad and James Anderson, with Gus Atkinson making a promising start to his Test career. The team has also had to adjust after regular captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series due to a torn hamstring, leading to Ollie Pope being appointed as the stand-in skipper.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Barbie with type 1 diabetes

This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play

Mattel

Mattel introduces first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes to promote inclusion

Highlights

  • Mattel launches new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
  • The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
  • Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
  • Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys

Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range

Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.

The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa expecting first child, share news with sweet Instagram post

Instagram/patralekhaa

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announce pregnancy in joint Instagram post

Highlights:

  • Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announced their pregnancy via a joint Instagram post on Wednesday.
  • The image showed a floral cradle with “Baby on the way” written on it, captioned simply: “Elated ❤️.”
  • Industry friends including Farah Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Esha Gupta congratulated them.
  • The couple, who were together for 11 years before marrying in 2021, recently launched their production house, KAMPA Film.

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa shared that they are expecting their first child together in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday. The announcement came with a floral-themed image featuring a cradle illustration that read, “Baby on the way,” along with their names. The couple summed up their feelings in one word: “Elated.”

 Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa smiling during a public appearance earlier this year Instagram/patralekhaa/rajkummar_rao 

Keep ReadingShow less
IPL valued at £13.5bn as Bengaluru tops franchise rankings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

IPL valued at £13.5bn as Bengaluru tops franchise rankings

THE Indian Premier League's business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion (£13.5bn) with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.

The world's richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11bn (£8bn) a year for the Indian economy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Schiaparelli exhibition UK

Italian-born French fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Getty Images

V&A announces UK’s first Schiaparelli exhibition as Natasha Poonawalla’s Met Gala looks make a comeback

“In difficult times fashion is always outrageous.” – Elsa Schiaparelli.

The Victoria & Albert Museum has announced its first ever UK exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, the visionary designer who blurred the boundaries between fashion, art and performance. Titled Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, it runs from 21 March to 1 November 2026 in the Sainsbury Gallery and will draw on the V&A’s status as home to Britain’s National Collection of Dress and its foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments.

Keep ReadingShow less