NewKerala.com

England's Ashes Blow: Mark Wood Ruled Out, Matthew Fisher Steps In

England's pace attack has suffered a major setback. Mark Wood's Ashes tour is over due to a recurring knee injury. In his place, the team has called up young bowler Matthew Fisher from the Lions squad. This continues a frustrating pattern of fitness issues interrupting Wood's international career.

Key Points: Mark Wood Ruled Out of Ashes, Matthew Fisher Replaces Him

  • Mark Wood's knee injury recurred during the first Ashes Test in Perth
  • He will return home for rehabilitation after a career plagued by fitness issues
  • Young seamer Matthew Fisher is called up from the England Lions squad
  • Fisher's only previous Test was against the West Indies in March 2022
2 min read

England pacer Mark Wood ruled out of Ashes series, Fisher named replacement

England fast bowler Mark Wood is out of the Ashes with a knee injury. Matthew Fisher has been called up as his replacement for the tour of Australia.

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

Brisbane, Dec 9

England pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of Ashes with a recurrence of the left-knee injury he sustained in the series opener in Perth. He will now return home to begin rehabilitation and recovery, ECB said on Tuesday.

Wood returned after a nine-month absence following knee surgery for the first Test in Perth, managing eight overs before suffering tightness in his left hamstring, though scans later ruled out damage, and he was passed fit to play and had match figures of 0-44 in 11 overs.

The 35-year-old pacer was later sent to a specialist after reporting pain in his knee and was ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane.

"England and Durham seamer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes tour of Australia, following a recurrence of the left-knee injury he sustained during the first Test in Perth earlier this month.

"Wood will return home later this week and work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery," ECB said in a statement.

England have called up Matthew Fisher to the squad. The seamer, who has been in Australia with the Lions, will link up with the group this 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. He 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.

For Wood, the setback is yet another chapter in a career repeatedly disrupted by fitness problems. Before the Perth Test, he had not played red-ball cricket for England in 15 months due to an elbow injury followed by knee surgery.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Feel for the guy. As an Indian cricket fan, we know how crucial a fit and firing pace attack is. Reminds me of some of our own injury struggles. Wishing him a speedy recovery. The Ashes loses a bit of spark without him. 🏏
A
Aman W
Tough break for England. Wood's absence is a huge boost for Australia. Matthew Fisher has big shoes to fill. The pressure is on now. Interesting to see how he handles the Gabba.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, the ECB's handling of his fitness seems questionable. Rushing him back after 9 months for a high-intensity Test? Maybe the workload management needs a review. Player welfare should come first.
K
Karthik V
Injuries are part of the game, yaar. But at 35, with a history of breakdowns, you have to wonder about his long-term future in Tests. Maybe focus on white-ball? Fisher is young and hungry, could be a blessing in disguise for England's future.
N
Nisha Z
Get well soon, Mark Wood! From an Indian perspective, we love competitive series. Hope Fisher steps up and makes it a good contest. Australia already has the upper hand.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50