Ashes 2025-26: 'My body's not coping' - Mark Wood rules himself out of Adelaide Test amidst knee injury

England fast bowler Mark Wood has ruled himself out of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after confessing that his body is struggling to recover on time. The veteran pacer, who returned to Test cricket after a long injury layoff, revealed that he is unlikely to recover in time for the third Test starting on December 17. 

Wood, one of England’s quickest bowlers, has battled injuries throughout his career. After undergoing left-knee surgery earlier this year, he made his Test comeback in the series opener in Perth, his first Test appearance in 15 months. However, new concerns in the same knee forced him out of the second Test in Brisbane, where Will Jacks replaced him in the playing XI. Since arriving in Brisbane, Wood has been wearing a knee brace, leading to major concerns about his availability.

Speaking during the second Test, Wood admitted that returning for Adelaide was unlikely, adding that Melbourne or Sydney could be more realistic targets. He revealed that he has been taking painkilling injections and is currently unable to move freely until the knee brace comes off. Wood also revealed that he is 35 and may be slowing down his recovery. 

"I think there's a chance there, but more realistically, it's probably more Melbourne and then [Sydney] after that… I need to get out of this [brace] first to get moving around. Throughout my career, I've tried to show resilience and keep coming back and keep trying to push it where I can bowl faster and faster, but I'm getting older now. I don't know if my body's not coping with it as well [as it used to] but I'll keep trying. That's something I pride myself on, to keep running in for the team and be a good team man. I'm hoping I can get this right and can charge in again," he was heard while speaking to Channel 7.

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I'm trying to just get through day-to-day: Mark Wood

Before the Ashes began, the speedster managed only eight overs in a warm-up match before suffering hamstring issues. Scans cleared him of any major damage, and he played in Perth, bowling 11 wicketless overs. However, the workload triggered further knee pain, forcing the visitors to bench him for the Gabba Test.

"I'm trying to just get through day-to-day at the minute. Later in the series is what I'm aiming for, but I can't do that much at the minute. I've had a couple of injections, resting up, and slowly but surely, running [will] start soon, then back into bowling," he added.

England had hoped Wood’s pace would be a major advantage in Australia, especially after fielding a five-man pace attack in Perth. While England produced their fastest collective day of Test bowling, their speeds noticeably dropped on the second day, and Australia capitalised to complete an eight-wicket win.