England’s Ashes plans have suffered a further setback with news confirming that Mark Wood has been ruled out of the series as he continues with his knee rehabilitation.
Ben Stokes’ tourists fell 2-0 down in the Ashes series after they were yet again comprehensively beaten by eight wickets to Australia in the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
On Australia’s side, despite the heroics of star speedman Mitchell Starc, they would have hoped to add some experience in their seamer ranks going into the third Test, but Hazlewood will miss the rest of the series as he recovers from a hamstring and achilles problem.
However, England will be well aware that the old guard of Starc and captain Pat Cummins looks set to lead proceedings in the third Test in Adelaide, with the latter confirmed to be available.
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‘I’m desperately disappointed’ says Wood
“Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and months of work and rehab to get back into the Test arena, my knee just hasn’t held up,” Wood said on his Instagram.
“None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact.
“I’m desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment it has become clear that the flare up in my knee is worse than feared.
“I’m really sorry that has left me unable to perform as expected but it is not for want of trying. I still believe we can turn things around. Never give in. Come on England.”
Wood has struggled throughout his career with plenty of muscular injuries, and with age increasingly becoming a factor, it remains to be seen whether he will play for England again.
Unfortunate for Hazlewood; big smiles for Cummins
On the unfortunate late withdrawal of Hazlewood, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said: “[I feel] really flat for [Hazlewood], a couple of setbacks that we didn’t see coming. We thought he’d play a huge part in the series, so we really feel for him that he won’t get that opportunity.”
On the positive end, McDonald added that Cummins was out in the nets at Allan Border Field while the match at the Gabba was ongoing.
“He has simulated pretty much what a match will look like out there with multiple spells, so we feel as though he’ll be as best prepared as he can be. We think simulation in the nets has him skill ready.
“He was well ahead of where we thought he’d be at and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane with how he was pulling up,” McDonald continued.
The Ashes continues with the third Test kicking off at Adelaide Oval on December 17.
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