Mark Wood has been ruled out of the 2025-26 Ashes. England have named Matthew Fisher as his replacement.
Mark Wood ruled out of Ashes
Wood has been ruled out of the rest of the 2025/26 Ashes. Not having played competitive cricket since the Champions Trophy in February, Wood played in the inter-squad game just ahead of the Ashes. He bowled only 11 overs in the Ashes opener, at Perth, though he did notch up serious pace in the first innings.
Having sustained an injury to his left knee during the first Test, Wood missed the second Test, at Brisbane. A recurrence to the injury has now ruled him out of the rest of the Ashes. It comes as a blow to England’s Ashes campaign, who have lost both Test matches.
Matthew Fisher named as replacement
Fisher, Wood’s replacement, is a tall fast bowler who entered the record books in 2013 when he became the youngest in 91 years to play in a competitive county game: he was only 15 years 212 days old back then.
His only Test came at Bridgetown in March 2022, just before the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era. Opening bowling, he had John Campbell caught behind with his second ball in Test cricket but did not take another wicket.
From 56 first-class matches, Fisher has 175 wickets at 28.16. An 11-wicket haul against eventual champions Nottinghamshire in September strengthened his case for a place in the England Lions unit that is currently on a tour of Australia.
However, across three games on this tour (against England XI, Cricket Australia XI, and the unofficial “Test” against Australia A), he has taken two wickets at 129.50 apiece.
Also read: Australia 'big three' quick ruled out of remainder of Ashes 2025-26
The third Test of the 2025/26 Ashes will begin on September 17 at the Adelaide Oval.
