England’s Mark Wood ruled out of Ashes, Fisher called in as replacement

Brisbane, 9 December 2025:

Fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of England’s Ashes tour, with Matthew Fisher added to the squad as his replacement.

Wood, 35, returned to Test cricket in the series opener in Perth after eight months out following knee surgery. He later experienced renewed swelling in his left knee and missed the second Test. England initially hoped he would recover for the remaining three matches, but the Durham pacer is set to return home this weekend.

“Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes,” Wood wrote on Instagram, adding that despite surgery, rehabilitation and further treatment, his knee “just hasn’t held up.”

Wood said he remains determined to attempt another comeback. “Whatever happens I will continue to push the limits to get back again,” he wrote. “I still believe we can turn things around. Never give in.”

His absence is a major setback for England, who trail 2–0 in the five-match series. Wood, one of England’s fastest bowlers, has taken 119 wickets in 38 Tests since his 2015 debut and was part of England’s 2015 Ashes win as well as the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup triumphs. His career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries.

Wood bowled 11 wicketless overs in Perth, his first Test appearance in 15 months. He travelled with the squad during their mid-series break in Noosa but will not be available for the third Test beginning 17 December in Adelaide.

Fisher, 28, who earned his only Test cap in the West Indies in 2022, has been touring Australia with the England Lions. Considered effective with the Kookaburra ball, he was preferred over Josh Hull, while Sonny Baker and Tom Lawes were unavailable because of injury.