Mark Wood ruled out of rest of The Ashes after knee injury

Veteran England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025-26 Ashes series, after a recurrence of a left-knee injury.

What happened

• Wood, 35, had returned to Test cricket in the series opener in Perth after undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year.
• He managed just 11 overs in that first Test before the knee problem flared up.
• He missed the second Test in Brisbane, and after a final medical assessment, England confirmed he will not feature again this series.

Impact on England’s campaign

Wood’s exit is a big blow for England’s pace attack — he has been one of their quickest and most experienced seamers.
To fill the gap, England have called up Matthew Fisher — a 28-year-old seamer with one Test cap.

The series now looks increasingly bleak for England, who trail 2-0 in the five-Test Ashes. Wood’s injury diminishes their hope of mounting a robust comeback.

Mark