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Mark Wood will fly home later this week after a fresh flare-up in his troublesome left knee ruled him out of the last three Tests, leaving England to summon Matthew Fisher from the Lions squad already touring Australia. The third Test in Adelaide begins on 17 December.
The ECB confirmed the decision on Tuesday afternoon. “Wood will return home later this week and will work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery,” an ECB statement said.
Wood, 36 in January, poured out his frustration on Instagram: “Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and seven long, hard months of work and rehab to get back into the Test arena, my knee just hasn’t held up. None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact. I’m desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment, it has become clear that the flare-up in my knee is worse than feared.
“I’m really sorry that it has left me unable to perform as expected but it is not for want of trying. Whatever happens, I will continue to push the limits to get back again. It has been a tough road these past few months but I remain determined to give it another proper go. I still believe we can turn things around. Never give in. Come on, England.”
Fisher, 28, is a six-foot-two seamer with a high release and a knack for wobble-seam movement – think a shade of Tim Southee rather than pure pace. His only previous Test came in Grenada in 2022, when he dismissed John Campbell with his ninth ball. Since then a succession of side strains have limited his progress, yet he has opened the Lions tour with tidy spells and arrives match-fit.
Bowling coach Neil Killeen feels Fisher’s bounce could translate well to Australian pitches. “He hits the splice, gets that extra bit of kick,” Killeen told BBC Radio earlier in the week. “If he settles quickly he can do a job.”
England trail 2-0 after defeats in Perth and Brisbane. Wood managed just 11 wicketless overs in the opener, then sat out the Gabba as the joint flared again. His absence strips Ben Stokes of 145-kph pace and reverse swing, a combination England hoped would crack the series open in Melbourne and Sydney.
Fisher, Chris Woakes, and Ollie Robinson are now vying for the final seam slot behind the first-choice pairing of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. With temperatures forecast to touch 38°C in Adelaide, Stokes may yet lean on four quicks and Joe Root’s part-time off-spin.
Australia have selection headaches of their own. Josh Hazlewood’s side strain has ended his series, although captain Pat Cummins is set to return after missing the Brisbane Test for the birth of his child, and Usman Khawaja’s back twinge has eased.
England have overturned 2-0 deficits only once – in 1936-37. Fisher’s arrival does not guarantee a miracle, yet it gives Stokes a fresh, eager body. For now, that feels like a small victory in a draining tour.
