Follow UsEngland’s Ashes hopes have taken a hit, as express pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the ongoing Ashes on December 9 (Tuesday). Wood started in England’s best playing XI for the opening Test in Perth but suffered an injury during the course of that clash.
Subsequently, the 35-year-old was ruled out of the second Test (Day-Night) clash at Gabba, where England were yet again handed a drubbing. The pacer now won’t take further part in the series, with the third Test between the two teams beginning on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.
While Wood had a good build-up leading to the Ashes, it is at an unfortunate juncture that the pacer has now been ruled out. In his absence, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have drafted Matthew Fisher, who is currently with the England Lions’ side in Australia.
Fisher hasn’t had much of an impact in Australia yet, with just two wickets across three games on the tour. The 28-year-old, though, has an impressive record in first-class cricket, with the Yorkshire pacer picking up 175 wickets, averaging 28.16.
England trail 0-2 in the series, and a loss at the Adelaide Oval will make it another terrible outing for the Three Lions in Australia.