England will be without key fast bowler Mark Wood for the remainder of the Ashes series as they aim to recover from a 2-0 deficit against Australia.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Wood has been ruled out of the next three Tests in the ICC World Test Championship series due to a recurring left-knee injury. The pacer is set to return home later this week to work with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery.
In Wood’s absence, Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher has been added to England’s senior squad. Fisher, who has been in Australia with the England Lions, will join the team this week.
Wood has struggled with his knee since sustaining the injury earlier this year during the ICC Champions Trophy. Although he underwent surgery, he experienced pain during the series opener in Perth and managed to bowl only 11 overs in that Test. He was also unavailable for the second Test in Brisbane, where Australia secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
This setback for England follows a similar blow for Australia, who confirmed that Josh Hazlewood will also miss the remainder of the series due to injury.
The third Test between England and Australia is scheduled to begin in Adelaide on December 17, 2025, where both teams will aim to strengthen their positions in the ICC World Test Championship standings.