Mark Wood could miss three tests in India after signing lucrative UAE contract T20

Mark Wood celebrates the wicket taking by Australian player Marnus Labouchagne at the Oval. Credit: Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mark Wood could miss England's first three Tests on the tour of India next year after signing for the Dubai Capitals T20 International League in the UAE.

Wood, who is currently one of the fastest bowlers in Test play, took 14 wickets in the three Ashes Tests, helping to change the streak after returning to Headingley. He signed with the Dubai Capitals, owned by the Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League, which now calls into question his willingness to play in England. With his speed and backlash, Wood could be England's main asset in India.

His signing with Dubai is further evidence of England's struggle to keep its players available to all international cricket as franchise leagues become more lucrative. England has shown a flexible approach to players who have franchise contracts and allowed a number of players to opt out of a tour to Bangladesh earlier this year without compromising their international prospects whenever possible. But losing Wood to a test series in India would be a major blow to England.

The next batch of England center contracts starts in October. The growth of franchised leagues is forcing England to rethink the structure of their contracts to better reward their top players. Multi-year contracts are another way to provide players with more stability, as T20 franchises offer players similar contracts.

As Telegraph Sport first reported last year, IPL teams are also looking to offer players 12-month contracts to play for a range of franchises across leagues.

Voodoo turns 34 in early 2024. While he has always shown this huge commitment to representing England, fulfilling his full contract with Dubai Capitals will help protect his financial future. He also had a patchy injury history and would be less likely to get injured in T20 than in Test cricket.

Another consideration for Wood could be the amount of time he spends away from of his family. this winter. He is already in the England squad for the World Cup and is set to compete in the IPL next year. Since all ILT20 is based in Dubai and T20 matches are less intense than Tests, it will be much easier for Wood's young family to visit during ILT20 than during Test matches in India.

Next year's ILT20 competition starts on 13 January, and England's test series in India will start on 25 January. It remains possible that Wood will only be able to perform at the beginning of ILT20 and then travel to India.