England’s Mark Wood will miss the second Ashes Test in Brisbane due to concerns about his left knee, significantly impacting the team’s chances of equalising the series. Wood, aged 35, had just made his Test cricket comeback in Perth following a nine-month recovery from surgery. He bowled only 11 overs before England suffered their fastest Ashes defeat in over a century.
The fast bowler was notably absent from England’s training session at Allan Border Field on Saturday morning. His absence strongly indicates he won’t participate in Thursday’s day-night Test at the Gabba.Josh Tongue from Worcestershire is likely to take Wood’s place. Tongue is currently in Canberra with England Lions, alongside Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell, competing against the Prime Minister’s XI.This latest setback adds to Wood’s history of fitness issues. He hadn’t played red-ball cricket for England for 15 months before the Perth Test due to elbow problems and knee surgery. A recent warm-up game with the Lions also raised concerns when he experienced hamstring tightness, though scans showed no serious damage.Despite not taking any wickets in Perth, Wood was crucial to England’s high-pace bowling strategy against Australia. The team’s five-seamer attack achieved their fastest collective bowling day in Test history on day one, though speeds decreased the next day as Australia secured an eight-wicket victory. Wood’s absence is particularly concerning given England’s poor performance in day-night Tests. They’ve won only two out of seven day-night matches and none in Australia. The Gabba has been particularly challenging for England, with no victories there since 1986.The Australian team holds an advantage with Mitchell Starc, considered the most effective pink-ball bowler globally. While the pink ball’s behaviour mirrors the red ball, its reduced visibility during night play presents additional challenges for England, now made more difficult without their fastest bowler.
