IPL 2023: England speedster Mark Wood set to miss final stages of ongoing cash-rich league

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mark Wood is likely to miss the final stages of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) to attend the birth of his daughter in late May. Due to illness, the English cricketer has missed LSG's last two matches, but he has been outstanding for the KL Rahul-led side this season and has taken 11 wickets in four games.

Notably, he finished with figures of 5/14 on his IPL debut against Delhi Capitals (DC). In his absence, LSG have selected the Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq, who bowled tight spells in his first two games.

Wood and his wife Sarah are expecting their second child towards the end of May, and the cricketer will return home in the coming weeks to attend the birth. However, he is unlikely to return to India afterwards.

LSG will play their next fixture against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 28 at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. They will then host Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 1 and 3, respectively. 

England will play Ireland in a one-off Test at Lord's after the IPL 2023 final. CSK batter Ben Stokes has already stated that he may leave the IPL early to prepare for the Ireland Test and the upcoming Ashes. Notably, Stokes hasn't featured for CSK since April 3, owing to niggles. He, however, does not currently have a scheduled return date.

Joe Root and Harry Brook are two other English players who are expected to be involved in both the IPL and the Ireland Test. Root is yet to play for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL, while Brook has failed to make an impression for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) barring a solitary ton.

Meanwhile, Jofra Archer, who returned to the Mumbai Indians' (MI) playing XI in the game against PBKS on April 22, is another high-profile English player participating in the ongoing cash-rich league.