'Gutted' Mark Wood out for remainder of England's Ashes series in Australia with knee 'flare up' - 'None of us expected this'
Published 09/12/2025 at 08:49 GMT
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Mark Wood will miss the rest of England's NRMA Insurance men's Ashes tour following a recurrence of his left knee injury. Wood returned to the Test arena for the first time in 15 months in Perth and bowled 11 overs, before the knee which was operated on eight months previously flared up. After missing the second Test, he will now miss the entire series, and is replaced by Matthew Fisher.
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England seamer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the NRMA Insurance men's Ashes series after a recurrence of his left knee injury.
Wood, 35, made his Test comeback in Perth after knee surgery sidelined him for eight months. He bowled 11 overs at Perth Stadium.
He then suffered swelling in the same knee which saw him miss the second Test in Brisbane.
England remained hopeful that Wood may yet have a part to play in Adelaide and beyond, but his knee has not recovered, and he will leave camp this weekend.
He is replaced in the squad by 28-year-old Matthew Fisher, who has played one Test match for England, against West Indies in 2022. He has been part of the England Lions squad on their tour of Australia.
Wood took to Instagram to reveal the news: "Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes," he wrote.
"After extensive surgery and months of work and rehab to get back into the Test arena, my knee just hasn't held up.
"None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact. I'm desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment it has become clear that the flare up in my knee is worse than feared.
"I'm really sorry that has left me unable to perform as expected but it is not for want of trying."
Wood has struggled immensely with injuries in his career and the return to the side in Perth was his first for over a year after elbow and knee issues.
He remains positive, though, and is adamant he will be back in an England shirt again.
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"Whatever happens I will continue to push the limits to get back again," he added.
"It has been a tough road these past few months but I remain determined to give it another proper go.
"I still believe we can turn things around. Never give in. Come on England."
England are 2-0 down in the series after eight-wicket defeats at the Perth Stadium and the Gabba.
England have never come back from 2-0 down to win the Ashes, showing the steep mountain Ben Stokes’ side have to face.
They are having their mid-series break in Noosa, before the Third Test begins in Adelaide on 17 December - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - in what is the make-or-break Test of the "Bazball" era.
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Australia too have been rocked by a major injury to their bowling attack, with seamer Josh Hazlewood to play no part in the series.
He was initially a doubt for the first Test with a hamstring problem, and ended up missing both the first two Tests. An Achilles issue has now ruled him out of the series.
The hosts were provided with good news regarding captain Pat Cummins though, as he is likely to return to their squad for the Test in Adelaide, while it is likely Nathan Lyon will also be brought back in after he was left out at the Gabba.
Usman Khawaja is another who could return to the side after a back injury ruled him out of the second Test and saw him fail to open in either of the innings in the opener.
Khawaja, who turns 39 during the third Test, could shift further down the order after opening pair Jake Weatherald and Travis Head have begun well.
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