Fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the rest of England’s Ashes tour, with fellow seamer Matthew Fisher drafted in as his replacement.
Wood had only just returned to Test cricket in the opening match in Perth after eight months on the sidelines following knee surgery. However, the 35-year-old experienced renewed swelling in his left knee and was unable to feature in the second Test.
England initially hoped he might still play some part in the remaining three matches of the series, but the Durham pacer is now expected to fly home at the weekend.
On Instagram, Wood said he was devastated to be leaving the tour early, explaining that despite extensive surgery, months of rehabilitation and further injections, his knee had not coped with the demands of Test cricket. He added that the flare-up was worse than anyone had anticipated and apologised for not being able to perform as planned, stressing that it was not through lack of effort.
Long injury battle casts doubt over Wood’s Test future
Wood insisted he will try to mount another comeback, saying he is determined to push himself again and still believes England can fight their way back into the series, urging fans not to give up hope.
The setback is a major blow for England, who trail 2–0 in the series, and for Wood himself, whose international future is once again uncertain. One of the quickest bowlers ever to represent England, he has taken 119 wickets in 38 Tests since his debut in 2015.
He played a key role in England’s Ashes victory in 2015, was part of the side that lifted the 2019 50-over World Cup and was also in the squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2022. Yet his career has repeatedly been disrupted by fitness issues. The Perth Test marked the end of a 15-month absence from Test cricket, first because of an elbow issue and then due to the ongoing knee problem.
In Perth, Wood bowled 11 overs without taking a wicket. He travelled with the squad to their mid-series break in Noosa but will not be involved when the third Test in Adelaide begins on 17 December (23:30 on 16 December GMT).
Fisher called up for England as Australia lose Hazlewood
Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher, 28, comes into the main squad in Wood’s place. Fisher has a single Test cap, earned on the 2022 tour of the West Indies, and has been in Australia with the England Lions. Known for his skill with the Kookaburra ball used in Australian conditions, he has been preferred to Josh Hull.
Sonny Baker and Tom Lawes were also considered candidates but both had already been ruled out of the Lions tour through injury.
Australia are dealing with their own fast-bowling problems. Josh Hazlewood, 34, has been ruled out for the remainder of the series. He missed the first two Tests with a hamstring issue and has now suffered a setback with his Achilles tendon.
However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that captain Pat Cummins is expected to return when the hosts name their squad for the third Test. Cummins has been recovering from a back problem, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon is also likely to feature in Adelaide after being omitted from the day-night Test in Brisbane, meaning at least two changes to the Australian XI. Seamers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett are the most likely to make way.
Australia may also bring back batter Usman Khawaja. The opener struggled with a back issue in the first Test and missed the second, but McDonald suggested he could return at number five, keeping the new opening partnership of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald together.
