BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Injured fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the Ashes, a major setback for England who trail 2-0 in the five-match series.
Wood’s impact was limited in the first Test, taking no wickets from 11 balls in Perth’s eight-wicket defeat. He subsequently missed the second Test in Brisbane due to a left knee problem.
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Wood, 35, has only just returned from knee surgery in March and his fitness has been an issue ahead of the Ashes tour.
Matt Fisher, who played his only Test in the Caribbean in 2022, was drafted into the Test squad as cover.
Wood posted on Instagram that he was “extremely devastated to withdraw from the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and seven long and grueling months of work and recovery to return to the Test pitch, my knee just wouldn’t hold up.”
Wood said he traveled to Australia “with high hopes of making a significant impact. I was extremely disappointed when, despite more injections and intensive medical treatment, it became clear that the attack on my knee was more serious than feared.”
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Wood was England’s main wicket-taker in the 2023 Ashes series when his return from injury coincided with a stunning comeback for the home team.
England must win the third Test starting in Adelaide on December 17 to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes. England have not won a Test in Australia since 2010-11 and losing Wood worsens a bowling attack that has been struggling over the last month.
“I still believe we can turn this around. Never give in. Come on England,” Wood posted on social media.
News of Wood’s departure was announced just hours after Australia confirmed veteran Josh Hazlewood would miss the series with hamstring and Achilles injuries.
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AP Cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
