### Major Setback for England as Mark Wood is Ruled Out of Ashes Series England's hopes in the ongoing Ashes series have taken a significant hit with the announcement that fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a recurring left knee injury. The 35-year-old, who had just returned to competitive cricket after undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year, experienced a flare-up of his injury following the first Test in Perth. Wood's absence is particularly concerning for England, who are already trailing 2-0 in the five-match series against Australia. In his place, Yorkshire seamer Matthew Fisher has been called up to join the squad as a replacement [https://crictips.com/news/englands-ashes-hopes-suffer-major-blow-as-mark-wood-ruled-out-198228][https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/mark-wood-ruled-out-of-remainder-of-2025-26-ashes-in-another-major-blow-for-struggling-england-13958270.html]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - Mark Wood has been sidelined due to a left knee injury that flared up after the first Test in Perth, where he bowled 11 overs without taking a wicket [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/englands_mark_wood_ruled_out_of_ashes_series_with_knee_injury/s1_17727_43180037]. - He had previously undergone knee surgery earlier in the year, which had kept him out of action for several months [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/mark_wood_gutted_will_miss_the_rest_of_ashes_with_knee_injury_spiked_up/s1_17726_43179981]. 2. **Impact on England's Squad**: - England is now without one of their key fast bowlers at a critical juncture in the series, which could severely affect their chances of a comeback [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/big-blow-for-england-as-knee-injury-ends-woods-ashes-tour/20251209.htm]. - Matthew Fisher, who has limited experience at the Test level, has been called up as a replacement, raising concerns about the depth of England's bowling attack [https://www.millenniumpost.in/sports/wood-ruled-out-of-series-639004]. 3. **Australia's Situation**: - In a parallel development, Australia has also faced injury setbacks, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries [https://www.apnews.com/article/ashes-cricket-australia-england-hazlewood-cummins-90949e7228977ff32aabea600518be99]. - However, Australia is expected to welcome back captain Pat Cummins for the upcoming third Test, which could bolster their bowling lineup [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/australia-paceman-hazlewood-ruled-out-ashes-5569391]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Mark Wood's Performance**: - In the first Test, Wood bowled 11 overs without taking a wicket, contributing to England's defeat by eight wickets [https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/mark-wood-ruled-out-of-remainder-of-2025-26-ashes-in-another-major-blow-for-struggling-england-13958270.html]. - **Injury Timeline**: - Wood's knee issues have been ongoing, with significant surgery earlier in the year and a limited return to play, indicating a fragile fitness level [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/mark_wood_ruled_out_of_ashes_amid_ongoing_england_injury_concerns/s1_17729_43180422]. ### Conclusion: A Critical Moment for England's Ashes Campaign **In summary**, England's Ashes campaign faces a daunting challenge with the loss of Mark Wood due to injury, compounded by their current 2-0 deficit in the series. The call-up of Matthew Fisher as a replacement highlights the team's struggle to maintain a competitive edge in the absence of experienced players. As they prepare for the third Test, the pressure mounts on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver results against a formidable Australian side, which is also dealing with its own injury issues. 1. Mark Wood's injury is a significant blow to England's Ashes hopes. 2. Matthew Fisher's inclusion raises questions about England's bowling depth. 3. Australia, while facing its own injury challenges, may regain key players, complicating England's path to recovery [https://www.indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashes-hazlewood-mark-wood-ruled-out-cummins-return-adelaide-test-10410539].