Mark Wood, the pace spearhead of the Lucknow Super Giants, is slated to be absent from the concluding stages of the IPL, as he is expected to be present for the birth of his offspring, which is due to occur in the next month. Wood, a right-arm pacer, participated in four games for the Super Giants, securing 11 wickets while maintaining an economy of 8.12. However, he missed LSG’s previous two encounters due to illness.
“Wood and his spouse Sarah are anticipating their second child, which is expected to arrive towards the end of May. Wood shall travel home at some juncture in the approaching weeks, to ensure that he is available to witness the birth,”
The IPL qualifiers are scheduled for May 23 and 26, while the final will take place on May 28.
Additionally, England has arranged to play a solitary Test match against Ireland at Lord’s on June 1, just four days following the IPL final.
Test captain Ben Stokes had previously stated that he too may avoid the final stages of the IPL in order to prepare for the aforementioned fixture.
“… The ECB has no plans to withdraw players from the competition against their will, as they had previously informed the BCCI and the franchises that they would remain available for the entire season.”