England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes following a recurrence of a left knee injury sustained during the first Test in Perth.
Wood will return home later this week to work on his rehabilitation and recovery, the team said on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old’s absence is a blow to an inexperienced England attack who were well handled by Australia’s batters at the Gabba, where the hosts won by eight wickets.
Wood was ruled out on the same day Australia confirmed stalwart quick Josh Hazlewood would play no part in the Ashes following Achilles and hamstring injuries.
Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher has been added to the squad and will link up with the group this week, having been in Australia with the England Lions.
Fisher played his one Test during the 2022 tour of the West Indies.
England had Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson in their pace attack at the Gabba, with all-rounder Ben Stokes offering a fourth seam option and Will Jacks providing part-time spin.
Australia posted 511 in their reply to England’s first innings 334, with the tourists’ bowlers frustrated for the better part of two sessions by the hosts’ tail-enders.
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the remaining Ashes series after struggling with Achilles and hamstring injuries.
Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Hazlewood would not play any part after missing Australia’s victories in the first Tests against England in Perth and Brisbane.
“Really flat for him,” McDonald said on Tuesday.
“A couple of setbacks that we didn’t see coming. We thought he’d play a huge part in the series. But really feel for him that he won’t get that opportunity.”
However, McDonald said regular captain and paceman Pat Cummins would be ready to return for Adelaide where Australia can retain the urn with a draw.
Australia, who hold the urn, lead the five-Test series 2-0.
Cummins also missed the opening Tests while recovering from a lower back injury but had proved his fitness with match simulation in Brisbane, McDonald said.
“He was out at Allan Border Field whilst everyone was at the Gabba. He simulated pretty much what a match will look like out there with multiple spells,” he added.
“We feel as though the simulation in the nets has got him skill-ready. His body’s ready to go.
“Barring anything else happening in the next week, I’d be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on.”
Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0 and need only draw the third match in Adelaide starting December 17 to retain the urn.
(Reuters)
