Mark Wood: England fast bowler ruled out of Ashes series against Australia with Matthew Fisher called up to squad

England’s hopes of launching an Ashes fightback have been hit by the news that fast bowler Mark Wood will miss the rest of the series due to a left knee injury.

Wood, 35, has suffered a recurrence of the problem he sustained during the eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Test at Perth last month.

The Durham quick subsequently sat out the eight-wicket loss at The Gabba in the second Test and will now play no part in the final three games either, the first of which starts at Adelaide Oval on December 17.

Wood will return home to England later this week and work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery.

The seamer’s latest setback in a career blighted by injury – the Perth Test was his first competitive game since February following knee surgery – and his age will invariably lead to questions about his England future.

Fisher added to England squad after Wood injury

Wood’s place in the squad has been taken by Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher, who has been in Australia with the Lions team.

Fisher has taken two wickets in three games for the Lions this winter, including that of Zak Crawley lbw when England’s second string played the senior team in a pre-Ashes warm-up at Lilac Hill.

The 28-year-old recorded figures of 0-105 from 31 overs as the Lions lost to Australia A by an innings and 127 runs at Allan Border Field in Brisbane last week.

Fisher has played one Test for England so far, in the West Indies in March 2022, when he registered match figures of 1-21 from 27 overs, making John Campbell his first, and so far only, Test wicket.