Mark Wood has expressed his determination that his Test career is not over after his Ashes tour was ended by a knee injury with England in dire trouble at 2-0 down.
Wood, 35, played the first Test in Perth, bowling just 11 overs across the two innings, but complained of soreness in his knee and had fluid drained from the joint and pain-killing injections before the second Test in Brisbane.
He was ruled out of that match and was seen wearing a heavy brace on his left leg at the Gabba to protect the joint. England had hoped he would be ready for the Boxing Day Test but inflammation has not gone down enough for him to be considered for selection, so he will return home this weekend and miss the remainder of the tour.
Surrey’s Matthew Fisher, who played one Test in 2022, has been called up from the Lions to replace Wood for the rest of the series. The Lions have been injury-hit themselves, with Sonny Baker and Tom Lawes among the quicks to already return home. England’s fast bowling depth is being severely tested, with Chris Woakes’s injury leading to his retirement, and Jamie Overton stepping away from red-ball cricket.
This is a savage blow for Wood, who had not played Test cricket since August 2024 before this tour and had spent nine months on the sidelines preparing for the Ashes. After this series, England do not play Test cricket again until June, leaving Wood’s career under threat, but he expressed his desire to fight back.
Wood has taken 119 wickets in 38 Tests, which have come across a period of more than 10 years.
He posted on Instagram: “Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and 7 long, hard 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. I want to thank everyone at home and away in Australia. The Barmy Army have been class as always and I really appreciate it. Whatever happens I will continue to push the limits to get back again. 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.”
Wood was given a one-year central contract by England in October and will have his injury assessed when he returns home over the next few days. Wood has joined the rest of the England squad in Noosa where they are having a short break before resuming preparations for the third Test in Adelaide next week.
Meanwhile, Australia will be without the great fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for the entire series due to a combination of hamstring and Achilles injuries.
The absence of Hazlewood – and captain Pat Cummins – has not prevented Australia winning the first two Ashes Tests, with the third member of their superb trifecta, Mitchell Starc, stepping up with 18 wickets.
