Ashes 2025-26: England’s Mark Wood casts doubt on fitness amid knee injury

Wood is one of the fastest bowlers to play for England but has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

Before Perth he had not played a Test for 15 months, firstly because of an elbow problem, then the surgery on his left knee.

When he made his on-field comeback prior to the first Test, against England Lions in an Ashes warm-up match, Wood managed eight overs before suffering tightness in his left hamstring.

Scans cleared him of any concern in the hamstring and he was passed fit to play in Perth, where he had match figures of 0-44.

Wood’s availability helped England execute a long-standing plan to unleash high pace on Australia in this Ashes.

By fielding a five-man pace attack at Perth Stadium, England recorded their fastest collective day of bowling in Test cricket on the opening day of the series.

But England’s speeds dropped on day two, as Australia raced to an eight-wicket victory in their second innings.