Mark Wood, England’s senior fast bowler, has been ruled out for the balance of the Ashes 2025-26 series due to a flare-up of his left knee ailment. Already down 2-0 after devastating defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England must now mount a comeback without one of their quickest and most experienced seamers. Meanwhile, the selectors have invited Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher into the team for the third Test in Adelaide.
Mark Wood returned to Test cricket at Perth after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.
However, the 35-year-old bowled only 11 wicketless overs in the first Test before complaining of acute soreness in his left knee, the same injury that halted his Champions Trophy campaign in February.
He therefore missed the Brisbane Test, and more medical tests proved that he would not recuperate in time for the rest of the trip. The ECB announced that Wood will return home this week to begin rehabilitation with their medical team.
To replace the hole, England has called up Matthew Fisher, who was a member of the England Lions squad in Australia. Fisher’s only Test came in 2022, against the West Indies. Although his recent performances for the Lions have been modest, with only two wickets in three matches, his familiarity with Australian conditions has made him the visitors’ instant backup.
England’s start in the showpiece series has not been ideal. Their eight-wicket defeats in the Perth opener and the Brisbane Test have exposed the team. On the other hand, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood’s Achilles injury has ruled him out for the entire series. However, skipper Pat Cummins is expected to return to the XI. Usman Khawaja is also expected to regain fitness.
England’s updated squad for Ashes 2025-26
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Matthew Fisher, Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Will Jacks
India
