England’s hopes of staging a comeback in the Ashes 2025-26 have taken a hit: pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the series after a relapse of his left-knee injury. In response, the selectors have drafted in Matthew Fisher — a Surrey-based seamer — as Wood’s replacement for the upcoming Tests.
What happened to Wood?
Wood made a comeback in the series opener in Perth, after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.
However, he bowled just 11 overs in that match and went wicketless. Shortly after, he reported significant discomfort in the same knee.
He didn’t feature in the second Test in Brisbane — and further medical scans confirmed he won’t be fit in time for the remaining matches. The board expects him to fly back home this week to begin rehabilitation under medical supervision.
Implications for England
With Wood now unavailable, England lose a veteran fast bowler — one who had been seen as a key part of their seam-attack strategy.
Their task is already difficult: trailing 2-0 in the series after heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane.
The inclusion of Matthew Fisher adds some fresh energy, but it remains to be seen whether he — along with the other seaming options in the squad — can fill Wood’s shoes under pressure.
Bigger picture: Both sides hit by injuries
Wood’s exit comes on the heels of a blow to the opposition as well: Josh Hazlewood — Australia’s frontline pacer — has also been ruled out of the series due to injury. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is expected to return for the third Test, adding some balance back into the contest.
As the series moves on, England will have to recalibrate their bowling attack — hoping that fresh faces like Fisher, plus existing options, can step up and keep them in the hunt.
