England fast bowler Mark Wood is likely to miss the second Ashes Test against Australia due to a knee injury, dealing a significant blow to the tourists' hopes at the Gabba. Wood did not train on Saturday as England began preparations for the day-night Test, with an issue in his left knee.
England officials do not expect the 35-year-old to recover in time for Thursday's opening day in Brisbane, though there is hope he could play later in the series. Wood's fitness has been crucial to England's Ashes plans, having swung the 2023 series with his return at Headingley.
Wood missed the entire county season last winter after undergoing surgery on his left knee in March. He returned in time for the Australia tour but also needed scans on a sore hamstring during England's intra-squad warm-up game in Perth earlier this month.
Wood was wicketless in the first Test at Perth Stadium, where England suffered an eight-wicket defeat. His pace dropped noticeably on Day 2 as Travis Head's century led Australia to victory, though he still bowled at close to 150km/h and struck Cameron Green's helmet.
Wood's injury may see either Josh Tongue or Matthew Potts selected for the pink-ball Test. Both played against the Prime Minister's XI this weekend, with Potts taking two wickets and Tongue having previously played in the 2023 Ashes. Alternatively, England could bring in a spinner like Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.
