Mark Wood set to miss Ashes Test due to knee injury
England fast bowler Mark Wood will not participate in Thursday’s day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba due to soreness in his left knee, reports BritPanorama.
The 35-year-old was absent from Saturday morning’s training at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, the only player from the 13-member England squad in Queensland to miss the session.
This latest injury comes after Wood managed to bowl just 11 overs in England’s eight-wicket loss in Perth, a match Australia won in less than two days.
Having recently returned to the international scene following a nine-month injury layoff due to knee surgery in March, Wood’s participation in Perth was his first Test appearance in 14 months and his initial competitive outing since the Champions Trophy in February.
Despite reaching speeds of 94 mph during the match, he did not take any wickets and reported discomfort both during and after the game.
Wood’s fitness concerns extend beyond his knee; he also underwent scans on his left hamstring after experiencing tightness while bowling in England’s warm-up match against the Lions. As he approaches his 36th birthday two days after the series concludes on January 11, he has been awarded only a one-year ECB central contract after previously securing a three-year deal.
In terms of potential replacements, Josh Tongue is seen as the leading candidate if England opts to maintain their strategy of using five seamers. Currently, Tongue is representing England Lions against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra along with Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell. Alternatively, tactical variations could see the inclusion of spin in the attack for the pink-ball match.
Will Jacks’ versatility as an all-rounder places him ahead of Shoaib Bashir for a spot should England choose to reduce their pace options. The unique conditions at the Gabba may dictate this decision, especially given the day-night Test’s specific challenges and the review of strategic resources after the swift conclusion of the match in Perth.
Wood faced a rapid disruption to his recovery efforts in Perth when England’s batting collapsed, forcing him to halt his ice machine treatment prematurely. Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, Wood noted, “I was using the ice machine in the backroom. All of a sudden we start losing wickets and I look down [at the machine] and there’s still 17 minutes to go, then another one and it’s 12 minutes left. I thought: ‘I’ve got to get off this and get ready!'”
The nine-day gap before the third Test in Adelaide on December 17 presents a potential window for recovery. Currently, there is no indication that Wood’s tour is over, as England may opt to preserve him for Adelaide’s flatter pitch, where his express pace could be an essential asset.
The unfortunate loss of Wood underlines the unpredictable nature of international cricket, reminding fans how quickly fortunes can shift in this fiercely contested series.
