Mark Wood ruled out of Antigua Test, doubtful for remainder of West Indies tour

England speedster Mark Wood will take no further part in the ongoing first Test against the West Indies in Antigua. The 32-year old paceman felt acute pain in his right elbow during a net session, as revealed by the team's spokesperson.

The Durham speedster tried bowling six deliveries in the nets before the fifth day's play. However, he struggled with pain in his right elbow. With Jofra Archer on the sidelines with an elbow injury, Wood's injury couldn't have come at a more inopportune moment for the visitors.

Wood will not bowl. Tried to bowl in the nets "but struggled with acute pain after bowling approximately six deliveries" in words of England spokesperson. Robinson bowled at what looked like full pace in warm-ups. No word on replacements but I hope Norwell is packed.

Mark Wood has not bowled in the Antigua Test since sending down five overs on the third morning, where he lacked pace. His first innings figures were 17-4-45-1. With the right-arm pacer ruled out of the first Test, there are concerns over his participation in the remaining two games of the series.

Despite Warwickshire's Liam Norwell in contention as a replacement, there have been no talks in that regard. Ollie Robinson, who failed to recover from a back spasm in time for the first Test, could be fit for the second in Barbados. Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher are two other fast-bowling options for the visitors.

Steve Harmison recalls Mark Wood bowling dead overs in Ashes

Meanwhile, TalkSport commentator and former England speedster Steve Harmison believes overbowling in the Ashes might have triggered Wood's breakdown. The 43-year old underlined that England need Wood, as he proactively looks for wickets.

Harmison was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo in this regard:

"He bowled a lot, and I remember thinking that we're going to need him further down the line. He just kept bowling dead overs. But Mark will never ever shy away from that."

He continued:

"The thing with him is that he always wants to take wickets; he's a bit like Ben Stokes. And that's where you need strong leadership to just take the ball off them and make sure they don't go anywhere near the bowling."

Mark Wood finishes with career-best figures of 6 for 37! 💪

#Ashes https://t.co/nW4P2FwLOV

Meanwhile, the tourists are in the ascendancy, reducing the West Indies to 73-4, who are chasing a target of 286 in 70 overs.